DHS Ad Campaign Urges Illegal Immigrants to Leave or Face Deportation

Key Takeaways

• DHS launched an ad campaign on February 17, 2025, urging illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily and warning against unlawful entry.
• The campaign uses targeted media, including images labeled “ARRESTED,” to highlight deportation risks and potential penalties like permanent reentry bans.
• ICE aims for 1,875 daily arrests under new Trump administration quotas, requesting $175 billion funding to expand resources and staffing.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 17, 2025, the launch of a high-profile advertising campaign targeting illegal immigrants. This sizable initiative was unveiled by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and is part of the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration enforcement. The campaign seeks to encourage illegal immigrants already in the United States to voluntarily leave and warns others against attempting to enter the country illegally.

The ad campaign consists of two specific versions. The first is aimed at illegal immigrants already residing in the United States. Through various media, these ads deliver a sharp message: leave the country now to avoid harsh consequences, including permanent bans on reentry. Speaking through one of these ads, Secretary Noem emphasizes, “If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you, never to return.” However, she also outlined a potential path for compliance, adding, “If you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream.”

DHS Ad Campaign Urges Illegal Immigrants to Leave or Face Deportation

The second version is intended for potential migrants outside the United States who are considering entering the country without permission. The message delivered in this version is clear and firm: “If you are thinking of entering America illegally, don’t even think about it.” According to DHS, these ads aim to deter illegal immigration by outlining not only the risks of illegal border crossing but the consequences of breaking U.S. law, such as being arrested and deported.

These ads will be broadcast across multiple countries and regions using a variety of media platforms, including radio, television, and social media. Importantly, the campaign will employ digital strategies like targeted social media ads and text messages to reach the intended audiences. By focusing on specific demographics and locations, the aim is to ensure that the campaign resonates with those most likely to encounter or participate in illegal migration.

A visual element of the ads adds more weight to their message. Using imagery of individuals labeled “ARRESTED,” the campaign seeks to drive home the consequences of remaining in unlawful status within the U.S. or attempting unauthorized entry. The DHS hopes this visual warning will persuade individuals to comply with U.S. immigration laws voluntarily.

The timing of this campaign is notable, aligning with other sweeping changes to immigration enforcement under President Trump’s new administration. Since Trump took office on January 20, 2025, the government has taken a more aggressive approach to detain and deport individuals residing in the country without authorization. In just one week of enforcement, the administration reported 7,300 deportations. These numbers include apprehensions at the border by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as arrests initiated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE, a key agency involved in immigration enforcement, has significantly stepped up its efforts. Between January 22 and January 28, 2025, ICE arrested 5,537 migrants already inside the country and issued more than 4,000 detainers, which are official requests asking local law enforcement to hand over undocumented individuals in their custody. Despite the increased deportation numbers, some analysts have remarked that the current enforcement actions are not drastically different from past administrations but mark a steep trajectory toward even tighter controls.

Reports suggest the Trump administration is intent on going further. New quotas have been set for ICE with ambitious daily arrest goals. For example, field offices across the nation have been directed to make a minimum of 75 arrests per day, which totals approximately 1,875 arrests daily. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller underscored the administration’s stance, stating that these numbers are merely “a floor, not a ceiling.”

These moves have sparked widespread discussions and raised concerns among immigration advocates and state officials. Critics argue that such tactics may lead to unintended outcomes, such as the deportation of individuals with no criminal history. As a result, communities with mixed immigration statuses could face greater instability, with some families at risk of being separated. Critics are also pointing to other critical areas ICE may neglect, such as combating human trafficking or addressing organized crime, as resources shift heavily toward mass deportation goals.

Logistical challenges further complicate these plans. The existing capacity for detention centers and staffing is limited, and the new policy pushes these resources to their maximum limits. In response, the White House is asking Congress for an additional funding allocation of $175 billion to expand facilities, train new personnel, and meet overall operational needs. Without this funding, the administration may face significant hurdles in meeting its broader immigration objectives.

Even with these efforts, the Trump administration has yet to meet its long-term target of deporting one million individuals annually. Analysts from organizations like the American Immigration Council estimate that achieving such an ambitious goal would require an additional 30,000 ICE officers and support staff nationwide, which would carry an estimated cost of $7 billion annually. As of mid-February 2025, ICE agents reportedly arrest between 600 and 1,100 people daily—an increase from the previous administration but still far from the administration’s endgame.

When unveiling the campaign, Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated the administration’s broader stance on immigration. She stated, “Under President Trump, America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers.” This comment echoes the administration’s broader focus on tightening border controls and reforming how U.S. immigration laws are enforced. Similar measures in this strategy include strengthening physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, revising asylum policies to reduce abuse, and working closely with state and local governments to enhance enforcement.

The new system, however, continues to stir debate. While proponents believe these steps will reduce illegal immigration and restore order to immigration systems, critics are worried about excessive reliance on punitive measures over humanitarian considerations. Concerns include the ethical implications of mass arrests and deportations, with some questioning whether the strategy respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of immigration status.

Although the ad campaign is framed as a critical tool to reinforce these policies, its ultimate success will depend not just on its ability to influence migration decisions but also on how these messages are received globally. Arguably, the campaign’s implications extend beyond encouraging individuals to comply; it reflects a larger shift in how America projects its immigration values abroad while emphasizing internal security.

Looking ahead, the DHS ad campaign serves as a vivid sign of escalated enforcement under the Trump administration. It remains to be seen how effective this and other strategies will be in shaping migration patterns and deterring unlawful entry into the United States. Meanwhile, for undocumented immigrants living in the country, the campaign adds another layer of urgency as enforcement continues to rise.

For those seeking more information about U.S. immigration laws and enforcement guidelines, official resources, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, provide clear and credible updates.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the simultaneous rollout of the DHS ad campaign, deportations, and enhanced border controls marks a crucial moment in U.S. immigration policy under President Trump. These combined initiatives provide valuable insight into how the current administration plans to address the broader challenges of illegal immigration. However, as policies evolve and enforcement ramps up, the social and political consequences of these actions are likely to spark ongoing debate.

Learn Today

Illegal Immigrant → A person residing in a country without legal authorization, typically after crossing borders without permission.
Deportation → The formal removal of an individual from a country for violating immigration laws or entering illegally.
Detainer → An official request by immigration authorities to hold an undocumented individual in custody for transfer.
Asylum Policy → Government regulations determining who qualifies for protection from persecution if they enter or stay in a country.
Immigration Enforcement → Actions by government agencies aimed at monitoring, detaining, or removing individuals violating immigration laws.

This Article in a Nutshell

The DHS launched an aggressive ad campaign urging illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily, warning of severe consequences like permanent bans. Targeting both U.S. residents and potential migrants abroad, the campaign highlights intensified immigration enforcement under Trump. Critics question its humanitarian impact, while supporters view it as a necessary move to secure U.S. borders.
— By VisaVerge.com