Saturday Night Live marked its 1,000th regular episode with Pete Davidson returning to the show to confront Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions during ongoing unrest in Minneapolis. The comedian portrayed White House Border Czar Tom Homan in a cold open, highlighting the federal agency’s controversial role in the city. This sketch addressed public frustration surrounding ICE’s operations and shed light on the agency’s purported mission in the area.
Satirical Sketch Highlights ICE’s Mission Confusion
Playing Tom Homan, Davidson opened with an explanation aimed at defusing recent criticisms:
“Now I’m sure a lot of you are wondering why Greg Bovino, the last guy, was dismissed. I wanna stress that it wasn’t because he did a bad job or publicly lied about the shooting of an American citizen or even, oh, dressed like a Nazi. It was that he was filmed doing these things.”
Davidson used humor to critique ICE’s prior image and sparked discussion on accountability.
He then attempted to focus the group of ICE agents on their current goals, asking,
“Now, who could tell me why we’re here in Minneapolis?”
The agents’ uncertain responses ranged from “Pass” to
“This could be wrong, but Army,”
illustrating a disconnect between the agency’s actual purpose and the mindset of its operatives.
Davidson’s character clarified,
“That’s close. We’re here to detain and deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.”
One agent, clearly surprised, replied,
“That is literally the first I’m hearing of that.”
The sketch highlighted confusion and mixed priorities within ICE, as Homan urged,
“Forget everything you were told before. We’re not here to intimidate, racially profile or violate anyone’s rights. So again, what are we looking for?”
One agent cheekily answered, “Epstein files,” prompting Homan to respond,
“Nope, we actually just released those to distract from this, you know, which is ironic because we did this to distract from those.”
Davidson’s Ongoing Relationship with SNL
Pete Davidson was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 2014 to 2022 and has since been a frequent guest host and cameo performer. This episode marked his second appearance in season 51, following a November 8 segment on Weekend Update where he shared jokes with Colin Jost about a ferry they once purchased together. Davidson’s ability to tackle timely and controversial topics remains a strong part of his comedic identity.
Season 51 also welcomed Alexander Skarsgård for his hosting debut and Cardi B for her second appearance. Skarsgård’s monologue featured jokes about his Swedish background:
“Now, when I was a kid, I loved watching this show from my igloo back in Stockholm.”
He shared his perspective candidly:
“But during these monologues, I would never focus on the host, I was more interested in the band back there in the background, sometimes laughing, more often than not.”
Skarsgård even joined the SNL band to play the saxophone during his monologue.
Special Cameos from the Skarsgård Family and Other Highlights
Adding to the night’s surprises, Stellan Skarsgård, Alexander’s father, appeared in two sketches. In the first, he portrayed the father of a Swedish sibling duo played by Alexander and Chloe Fineman. The scene ended with the characters finding their father in a bathtub, ready to die. The second sketch was a new version of SNL’s Immigrant Dad Talk Show, featuring Stellan and musical guest Cardi B as the wife of Marcello Hernández’s character.
Additionally, the show announced that Connor Storrie, star of Heated Rivalry, will host the February 28 episode, with Mumford & Sons providing musical entertainment. A tribute to actress Catherine O’Hara was also featured at the end of the episode.
Season 51’s Wide Array of Hosts and Performers
Season 51 of SNL has been diverse, with notable figures taking leading roles. Guests such as Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, Sabrina Carpenter, Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, Glen Powell, Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor, Ariana Grande, Finn Wolfhard, and Teyana Taylor have all made appearances. This varied lineup reflects the show’s continued efforts to remain culturally relevant while delivering sharp comedy.
The Significance of Davidson’s SNL Return Amid ICE Controversies
Pete Davidson’s reappearance targeting ICE during this milestone episode carried weight, especially as Minneapolis remains a focal point of immigration debates and protests. The sketch’s blend of satire and pointed criticism emphasized the public’s unease with the federal agency’s conduct. By using comedy to question ICE’s messaging and actions, Davidson and SNL brought sharp attention to a complex and contentious issue, likely fueling further dialogue nationwide.
Alexander Skarsgård’s monologue! pic.twitter.com/Zd9bftXevB
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) February 1, 2026
