Archive · 11 Sep 2026
DHS Removes ‘Mr Singh’ Self-Deport Ad After Backlash
The US Department of Homeland Security made an internet advertisement using a computer-generated picture of a man called “Mr Singh.”
The advertisement said he should leave American roads because he supposedly did not know how to drive.
Other advertisements used Transformers characters to tell some people to leave the United States or face consequences.
Sikh and Hindu organizations said this unfairly connected a common South Asian name with dangerous or unwanted people.
They said many Sikhs and other Americans have the last name Singh.
Democratic politicians also criticized the advertisement.
DHS later removed the specific “Mr Singh” post after the backlash.
The agency continued promoting a programme that helps some undocumented migrants leave the country voluntarily.
Critics said removing the post was only a first step and called for greater accountability.
The US Department of Homeland Security removed an AI-generated X advertisement featuring a brown-bearded “Mr Singh” after criticism from Indian-American and Sikh groups.
The advertisement told “Mr Singh” to get off US roads, while related Transformers-themed posts urged people to “Self-deport or find out.”
The Hindu American Foundation, Sikh Coalition and other groups called the messaging racist, discriminatory, anti-American and anti-Indian profiling.
Democratic leaders including Gavin Newsom and Raja Krishnamoorthi also condemned the advertisement, with Newsom’s office calling it “racist propaganda.”
The campaign promoted DHS’s CBP Home programme, which offers eligible undocumented migrants travel assistance and a USD 2,600 bonus for voluntary departure.
- Who
- The US Department of Homeland Security, Indian-American and Sikh advocacy groups, Democratic leaders, and people represented in the advertisements.
- What
- DHS removed an AI-generated “Mr Singh” self-deportation advertisement after criticism that it profiled Sikh, Hindu and South Asian communities.
- When
- The advertisement was removed on Thursday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The advertisements were posted on X as part of a US Department of Homeland Security campaign.
- Why
- DHS was campaigning against unlicensed commercial drivers and promoting voluntary departure through CBP Home, while critics said the use of “Singh” was discriminatory profiling.
DHS Campaign Rationale
Critics’ Objections
Campaign purpose
DHS Campaign Rationale
DHS presented the posts as part of a campaign against unlicensed commercial drivers and promoted CBP Home for eligible undocumented migrants who choose to leave the United States.
Critics’ Objections
Advocacy groups and Democratic leaders said the campaign used federal authority to demonize people and promote xenophobic profiling.
Use of “Singh”
DHS Campaign Rationale
DHS used “Mr Singh” in a road-safety and self-deportation advertisement and linked related posts to named truck drivers involved in accidents or other crimes.
Critics’ Objections
Critics said Singh is a widely used Sikh surname and that associating it with dangerous drivers or unwanted foreigners casts suspicion on an entire community.
Removal of the post
DHS Campaign Rationale
DHS removed the advertisement after the backlash but criticized Gavin Newsom, accusing him of issuing commercial driving licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Critics’ Objections
The Hindu American Foundation welcomed the removal but said taking down the post was only the first step and called for accountability and an investigation.
- Agency
- US Department of Homeland Security
- Advertisement
- An AI-generated image of a brown-bearded man identified as “Mr Singh”
- Advertisement wording
- “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive Mr Singh.”
- Removal
- DHS removed the advertisement after backlash
- Related imagery
- Transformers characters Megatron and Optimus Prime
- Programme promoted
- CBP Home, which allows eligible undocumented migrants to register for voluntary departure
- Departure assistance
- Travel assistance and a USD 2,600 exit bonus
- Critics
- Hindu American Foundation, Sikh Coalition, HinduAction and Coalition of Hindus of North America
Sources
US advt asks 'Mr Singh' to self-deport or else...
"Disgusting": US Removes Racist 'Mr Singh' Self-Deport Ad After Backlash
US Department of Homeland Security ad tells ‘Mr Singh’ to self-deport, draws criticism from advocacy groups
