A US Department of Homeland Security poster warning immigrants to “self-deport or find out” has sparked a fierce online backlash, with critics accusing the Donald Trump administration of using racist and anti-Indian messaging.
The controversial poster, released amid Trump’s immigration crackdown, appears to draw on the popular movie franchise “Transformers” while carrying a pointed message aimed at immigrants.
The poster features the warning: “Get off our roads. You don’t know how to drive, Mr Singh.”
The reference to “Mr Singh” has particularly triggered reactions online, with several users calling the messaging “racist” and “anti-Indian”.
If you approach this nation with hostile intent, know this. We will defend ourselves. We will defend Americanism. We will defend our home.
Report Illegal Aliens on American Roads: 866-347-2423 pic.twitter.com/gJcDPA4CTH
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 9, 2026
The DHS also shared a post on its official X handle carrying a warning to immigrants.
“If you approach this nation with hostile intent, know this. We will defend ourselves. We will defend Americanism. We will defend our home. Report Illegal Aliens on American Roads: 866-347-2423,” read one post on official X handle.
The poster comes as the Trump administration steps up its immigration enforcement campaign and promotes “self-deportation” as an option for immigrants facing removal from the United States.
The use of the name “Mr Singh” in a message about illegal immigration and driving has drawn particular attention online, with critics questioning whether the poster unfairly singles out Indians and other South Asian immigrants.
‘Anti-Indian Profiling’: Hindu American Foundation Condemns DHS Poster, Seeks FBI Probe
The Homeland Security poster has sparked a backlash online, with critics accusing the department of promoting racist messaging and fuelling hatred against Indians in the US.
The Hindu American Foundation condemned the poster and accused the Department of Homeland Security of “anti-India profiling.”
“Singhs” are Hindu, they are Sikhs, they are American and they drive.
Racist, un-American, anti-Indian profiling/trolling by @DHSgov should shock our nation’s collective conscience.
Maybe we’re becoming too used to this hate, but are @Hasbro @takaratomytoys @ParamountPics ok… https://t.co/jk0F0ahrMD
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) September 10, 2026
“Singhs” are Hindu, they are Sikhs, they are American and they drive. Racist, un-American, anti-Indian profiling/trolling by @DHSgov should shock our nation’s collective conscience,” the foundation wrote in a statement on X.
The foundation also urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take note of the poster and open an investigation. It further called on Paramount Pictures, the distributor of the “Transformers” franchise, to take notice of the poster.
The backlash was also echoed by Alec Nolan, an anchor with Fox7 news, who described the poster as “demeaning to anyone with the last name Singh.”
“My grandpa’s name was Dan Singh. His father, Katha Singh, came to America from India decades ago to seek a better life. He became a raisin farmer in California. My grandpa eventually took over the family business and also worked as a truck driver. This post is racist and demeaning to anyone with the last name Singh,” the anchor wrote on X.
The row comes amid a DHS campaign promoting its CBP Home programme, which allows eligible undocumented migrants to register their intention to voluntarily leave the United States.
According to the DHS, migrants who register for self-deportation can receive travel assistance along with an exit bonus of USD 2,600.