7 hrs ago
DHS Removes ‘Mr Singh’ Deportation Ad After Sikh Backlash
The Department of Homeland Security made an advertisement about immigration and unsafe truck driving.
It showed a brown-bearded man and called him “Mr Singh.”
Singh is a common surname among Sikh people and is also used by many Indian Americans.
Sikh and Indian-American groups said the ad unfairly made their communities look dangerous or unwanted.
Democratic leaders criticized the advertisement too.
DHS removed the post after the backlash.
The department said its larger campaign was about dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers.
The campaign also promotes a program called CBP Home.
Some undocumented migrants who leave voluntarily through the program can receive travel help and $2,600.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed an AI-generated “Mr Singh” advertisement after criticism from Indian-American and Sikh groups.
The ad told “Mr Singh” to leave U.S. roads and self-deport as part of a campaign against dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers.
Advocacy organizations said the name, imagery and wording stereotyped Sikhs and Indians and amounted to racial and religious profiling.
Democratic leaders, including Gavin Newsom and Raja Krishnamoorthi, also condemned the advertisement.
DHS’s broader campaign promotes CBP Home, which offers eligible undocumented migrants travel assistance and a $2,600 bonus for voluntary departure.
- Who
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Indian-American and Sikh advocacy groups, and Democratic leaders including Gavin Newsom and Raja Krishnamoorthi.
- What
- DHS removed an advertisement featuring “Mr Singh” after critics called it racist, discriminatory and discriminatory toward Sikh and Indian communities.
- Where
- The dispute unfolded on X and concerned a U.S. government campaign about commercial driving, immigration enforcement and voluntary departure.
- When
- The advertisement was removed on Thursday after criticism spread, including from groups that had objected to it the previous day.
- Why
- DHS said the broader campaign targeted dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers, while critics said the use of “Singh” and racialized imagery profiled Sikh and Indian-American communities.
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Department of Homeland Security
Use of “Singh”
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Critics said singling out “Singh,” a common surname among Sikhs and Indian Americans, portrayed an entire community as dangerous or unwanted and fueled xenophobia.
Department of Homeland Security
DHS presented the post as part of a campaign against dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers and continued promoting its broader immigration-enforcement message.
Imagery and wording
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Advocacy groups said the brown-bearded character, “America for Americans” slogan and “self-deport” language amounted to racial and religious profiling by a federal agency.
Department of Homeland Security
DHS removed the post but continued a campaign featuring other messages and Transformers characters focused on road safety, immigration enforcement and voluntary departure.
Whether removal resolves the concern
Critics and Advocacy Groups
The Hindu American Foundation welcomed the removal but said it was only a first step and called for better treatment of Indian Americans, Sikhs, Hindus and South Asians.
Department of Homeland Security
The department took down the advertisement while maintaining its wider campaign, including promotion of CBP Home and voluntary departure for eligible undocumented migrants.
Key facts
- Agency
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Advertisement
- An AI-generated post told “Mr Singh” to get off U.S. roads and self-deport.
- Campaign focus
- Dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers
- Criticism
- Indian-American and Sikh organizations described the imagery and wording as racist, discriminatory and profiling.
- Removal
- DHS took down the advertisement after the backlash.
- Program promoted
- CBP Home allows eligible undocumented migrants to register an intention to leave the United States voluntarily.
- Departure assistance
- Eligible participants can receive travel assistance and a USD 2,600 exit bonus.
Quotes
US Department of Homeland Security
Federal department responsible for the advertisement and campaign
“The DHS has now removed the post we called out yesterday. We welcome its removal. But when a federal agency uses a racialised caricature of an Indian/Sikh man to make a political point, taking the post down is only the first step”
telegraphindia.com
“Twenty-five years after 9/11, Sikhs are still being targeted and profiled for how we look.”
businesstoday.in
Gavin Newsom’s press office
Press office of California Governor Gavin Newsom
“This is disgusting. Trump’s government is trafficking in racist propaganda targeting the Sikh community”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
DHS Removes ‘Mr Singh’ Self-Deport Ad After Backlash
DHS ‘Mr Singh’ Poster Draws Backlash Over Anti-Indian Stereotyping
US Homeland Security Post Sparks Racism Row Over Singh
DHS Removes Controversial Sikh Targeting Post After Backlash
Congressman Condemns DHS Deportation Graphic Featuring Mr. Singh
Congress Questions Modi Government Silence Over US ‘Mr Singh’ Ad
Xi India Visit, Protest Arrest Order, DHS Post Draws Criticism
Homeland Security Post Sparks Backlash Over Anti-Indian Stereotypes
