WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier in December, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released an AI video on social media which depicts Santa Clause working as an ICE agent, with the message behind the tongue in cheek AI video being one that encourages illegal aliens to “self-deport” to capitalize on a limited time monetary incentive.
On December 22nd, ICE released an AI-generated video via their official X account showcasing none other than Kris Kringle adorned in ICE-themed body armor while engaged in arrests and processing of ostensible illegal aliens. While the theme of the video itself was clearly in jest, the underlying message isn’t – that message being the current administration’s encouragement of self-deportation.
“AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST,” reads the caption in part on the post, further adding, “Self-deport today with the CBP Home app, earn $3,000 and spend Christmas at home with loved ones. Holiday incentive is valid through the end of 2025.”
The mentioning of a “holiday incentive” pertains to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement from earlier in December about a stipend and free air travel to individuals’ respective country of origin. In the Homeland Security press release detailing the holiday stipend, Secretary Noem’s message emphasized that failure to self-deport is simply delaying the inevitable.
“During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally - offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” Secretary Noem stated, adding, “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”
According to ICE’s online guide for self-deportation, aside from the temporary monetary incentive, the agency highlights the other benefits of voluntarily departing the country such as avoiding a detention period and not face bars for lawful reentry via final orders of removal that stem from immigration proceedings.
“In some cases, these people remain in ICE detention for months while they wait for a final decision from an immigration judge,” the agency’s self-deportation guide reads, adding, “Removal comes with other consequences, too, including bars to reentry. Bars to reentry are penalties for violating U.S. immigration law. Being barred from reentry means the U.S. government won’t let you come back into the U.S. - even for a short visit.”
On December 22nd, ICE released an AI-generated video via their official X account showcasing none other than Kris Kringle adorned in ICE-themed body armor while engaged in arrests and processing of ostensible illegal aliens. While the theme of the video itself was clearly in jest, the underlying message isn’t – that message being the current administration’s encouragement of self-deportation.
“AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST,” reads the caption in part on the post, further adding, “Self-deport today with the CBP Home app, earn $3,000 and spend Christmas at home with loved ones. Holiday incentive is valid through the end of 2025.”
The mentioning of a “holiday incentive” pertains to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s announcement from earlier in December about a stipend and free air travel to individuals’ respective country of origin. In the Homeland Security press release detailing the holiday stipend, Secretary Noem’s message emphasized that failure to self-deport is simply delaying the inevitable.
“During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally - offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” Secretary Noem stated, adding, “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”
According to ICE’s online guide for self-deportation, aside from the temporary monetary incentive, the agency highlights the other benefits of voluntarily departing the country such as avoiding a detention period and not face bars for lawful reentry via final orders of removal that stem from immigration proceedings.
“In some cases, these people remain in ICE detention for months while they wait for a final decision from an immigration judge,” the agency’s self-deportation guide reads, adding, “Removal comes with other consequences, too, including bars to reentry. Bars to reentry are penalties for violating U.S. immigration law. Being barred from reentry means the U.S. government won’t let you come back into the U.S. - even for a short visit.”
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