Archive · 11 Sep 2026
DHS Removes ‘Mr Singh’ Self-Deport Ad After Sikh Backlash
The Department of Homeland Security made an advertisement about immigration and 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 advertisement unfairly made their communities look dangerous or unwanted.
Democratic leaders also criticized the post.
DHS removed it after the backlash.
DHS said its wider campaign was about dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers.
The campaign also promotes CBP Home, which can help eligible undocumented migrants leave the United States voluntarily.
Those who qualify may receive travel assistance and a $2,600 bonus.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed an AI-generated advertisement telling “Mr Singh” to self-deport after widespread criticism.
The post showed a brown-bearded man and said, “Get off our roads; you don’t know how to drive, Mr Singh.”
Indian-American and Sikh groups called the imagery and wording racist, discriminatory, and an example of racial and religious profiling.
Democratic leaders including Gavin Newsom and Raja Krishnamoorthi also condemned the advertisement.
The ad was part of a broader DHS campaign against dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers that promotes the CBP Home voluntary-departure program.
- 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 asking “Mr Singh” to self-deport after critics described it as racist, discriminatory, and profiling Sikh and Indian-American communities.
- When
- The advertisement was removed on Thursday after criticism from advocacy groups, political leaders, and civil-rights critics.
- Where
- The advertisement was posted on X as part of a United States government campaign.
- Why
- DHS said the broader campaign targeted dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers, while critics said the use of “Singh,” racialized imagery, and self-deportation language stereotyped Sikhs and Indians.
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Department of Homeland Security
Use of “Singh”
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Critics said singling out “Singh,” a surname shared by millions of Sikhs and more than 160,000 people in the United States, portrayed an entire community as dangerous or unwanted.
Department of Homeland Security
DHS presented the post as part of a campaign against dangerous and unlicensed commercial drivers and continued promoting its broader road-safety and immigration 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 advertisement but continued a wider campaign featuring other posts and Transformers characters focused on driving enforcement, immigration, and voluntary departure.
Response to the backlash
Critics and Advocacy Groups
Groups welcomed the removal but said it was only a first step and called for better treatment of Indian Americans, Sikhs, Hindus, and South Asians; some also called for an investigation.
Department of Homeland Security
DHS took down the post and criticized Gavin Newsom, accusing him of issuing commercial driving licenses to illegal immigrants.
- 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 called the post racist, discriminatory, and an example of racial and religious 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.
