The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a new public campaign on social media and its website, urging U.S. citizens to assist in identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
"Your country needs you. Help deport undocumented foreign criminals: pedophiles, murderers, scammers, cartel members, drug traffickers, and thieves," reads one of the controversial graphics disseminated by the federal agency on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscent of old military recruitment posters.
The campaign, which appears under the slogan "AMERICA NEEDS YOU," claims that "the United States has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need you to take them out of here."
It also emphasizes that the participant may be entitled to benefits such as $50,000 in bonuses, $60,000 in student loan reimbursement, and a 25% premium payment.
Although the initiative emphasizes the expulsion of individuals with serious crimes, such as murder, drug trafficking, child abuse, or fraud, organizations that advocate for migrant rights have expressed concern about the impact that this campaign may have on vulnerable communities.
“We are seeing cases where ICE does not distinguish between individuals with criminal convictions and workers who have been in this country for years without any legal issues,” Maricela López, spokesperson for the organization Raíces Unidas in Texas, stated to the press.
Critics fear that this type of language encourages racial profiling and xenophobia, and that it will lead to an increase in false accusations from individuals harboring animosity towards immigrants.
According to recent figures from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over 180,000 deportations took place in the first half of 2025, a 22% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
A significant portion concerns individuals with criminal records, although there have also been documented cases of deportation of undocumented workers with no criminal history.
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