Fox News host Tucker Carlson challenged a former Governor of Maryland over Democrat proposals of an amnesty for undocumented migrants who arrived in the US as children, suggesting the party is neglecting middle class Americans.
Martin O'Malley, a Catholic of Irish heritage, ended his final answer, saying: "Remember, Jesus was himself a refugee child - what would you do if he came to your border?"
To which, the conservative broadcaster and political commentator responded: "That's so stupid, it's hard to respond."
During the interview, Mr O'Malley, 54, advocated for the protection of so-called Dreamers immigrants - who have faced an uncertain future since September when Donald Trump terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program which protected them from deportation.
Mr Carlson, 48, claimed Martin O'Malley and other Democrat figures were not prioritising concerns of the middle class, such as access to benefits and tackling opioid addiction.
The gospel of Matthew in the Bible details how Joseph and Mary followed an angel's command by fleeing to Egypt with young Jesus, to escape an infanticide by King Herod of Judea.