- DHS posted an ad telling “Mr Singh” to leave the United States or face consequences on September 9, 2026.
- The campaign promoted CBP Home, offering travel assistance and a $2,600 exit bonus for eligible voluntary departures.
- Sikh and Indian-American groups condemned the post as racist and discriminatory, citing profiling concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security posted an advertisement on September 9, 2026, telling “Mr Singh” to leave the United States or face consequences. The message promoted a federal campaign urging undocumented migrants to self-deport.
The post appeared on the official DHS account on X. It said, “Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive, Mr Singh,” alongside the warning, “Self-deport or find out.”
The graphic used a brown-bearded man wearing a head covering. It was styled as a parody of Transformers.
A DHS-branded robot confronted the depicted man in the image. Related material featured Optimus Prime and Megatron in an AI-generated video.
The campaign quickly drew condemnation from Sikh and Indian-American organizations. Critics called the message racist, discriminatory, xenophobic and anti-American.
The Hindu American Foundation said the use of “Singh” was discriminatory and called for an investigation. The Sikh Coalition said the imagery targeted Sikhs because of their appearance.
The objections focused on the combination of the surname, the head covering and the accusation about driving. “Singh” is widely associated with Sikh men and is also used by Hindus.
The ad promoted voluntary departure through CBP Home
The social-media campaign promoted the CBP Home program, which allows eligible undocumented migrants to register their intention to leave the United States voluntarily.
The program offers travel assistance. It also advertises an exit bonus of $2,600 for eligible people who depart voluntarily.
| Campaign element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program | CBP Home |
| Eligible group | Undocumented migrants |
| Departure option | Voluntary departure |
| Assistance | Travel assistance and a $2,600 exit bonus |
The advertisement connected that offer to a warning about roads and driving. It did not present the campaign only as an immigration departure notice.
The department’s related video reportedly named five truck drivers: Harjinder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Bekzhan Beishekeev, Akhror Bozorov and Jasveer Singh. The video connected those names with road accidents and other crimes.
The messaging appeared during the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on undocumented migrants working as commercial drivers. It also coincided with increased federal attention to road-safety enforcement involving undocumented commercial truck drivers.
The post combined a surname with a broader warning from DHS
The account paired the graphic with a separate statement aimed at people it described as hostile toward the United States.
“If you approach this nation with hostile intent, know this. We will defend ourselves. We will defend Americanism. We will defend our home.”
The post’s use of a person in a head covering, alongside the surname and driving accusation, shaped the backlash. The Sikh Coalition described it as another instance of Sikhs being singled out because of how they look.
The Hindu American Foundation called the broader post “racist” and “un-American.” Other critics described the message as profiling South Asians and Sikhs.
The campaign’s subject was immigration enforcement, but its presentation made ethnicity and appearance part of the message. That prompted accusations of anti-Sikh profiling from advocacy groups and commentators.
The post was shared Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Coverage and backlash continued developing on September 10, 2026, as the CBP Home promotion remained tied to the disputed imagery.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
