Sean Penn caused a social media stir when he handed his close friend Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, the best picture award for “Birdman”. The famous actor introduced his friend by saying “Who gave this son of a bitch his green card?”.

Iñarritu seemed unbothered, however, and devoted the Oscar win to his fellow Mexicans, stating: “I just pray they can be treated with the same dignity and respect of the ones that came before and built this incredible, immigrant nation.”

In the press room, Iñarritu said: “I found it (Sean Penn’s joke) hilarious. Sean and I have that kind of brutal (relationship) where only true friendship can survive.”

However, the reaction from social media people was not as positive, even though Sean Penn has -in the past- advocated gay rights, immigrant rights, and helps with several fundraising and charity organizations.