Jimmy Kimmel Sidekick Sent to El Salvador Following Review by Immigration Authorities

September 18 , 2025

LOS ANGELES — Guillermo Rodriguez, a familiar face to late-night television audiences as the jovial sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was deported to El Salvador this week following what federal immigration officials described as a “technical violation” of the terms of his residency.

Rodriguez, 54, had lived in the United States legally for more than two decades and had held a green card since 2005. However, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said Tuesday that an internal audit flagged Rodriguez’s long-running role on the ABC late-night show as inconsistent with his original visa application and subsequent green card classification.

“Mr. Rodriguez entered the country under specific employment provisions that did not reflect his current activities,” said USCIS Deputy Director Carla Medina in a brief statement. “While he is not accused of any crime, his professional association with Mr. Kimmel was determined to be outside the authorized scope of employment.”

The statement did not elaborate on what specific aspects of Rodriguez’s role — which included comedic skits, red carpet interviews, and celebrity interactions — constituted a violation. Legal experts say it’s a rare and unusual interpretation of immigration law.

Rodriguez, who was born in Mexico, but spent most of his adult life in Los Angeles, first appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003 while working as a parking lot security guard. His charm and humor quickly made him a fan favorite, and he became a regular fixture on the program.

News of the deportation sparked a wave of reactions online, ranging from outrage to confusion. Several public figures in the entertainment industry have voiced support for Rodriguez, while others have questioned the legal precedent behind the decision.

“This seems like a stretch,” said Dr. Lionel Weiss, an immigration law professor at UCLA. “Unless there’s more we don’t know, using someone’s comedic employment as grounds for deportation — when they’re here legally — is highly unorthodox.”

Rodriguez himself has not made any public comments since his departure, though sources close to him say he remains hopeful he’ll be able to return.

Olivia Asher