US Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- the butt of jokes on Saturday Night Live and fear among immigrant communities -- released an AI video leading up to the holidays featuring Santa Claus rounding up illegal migrants, warning them to leave voluntarily before ending up on the naughty list.
The video cams as Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced a special $3,000 incentive for illegal migrants to self-deport by December 31, encouraging them to use the CBP Home app..
The agency posted the message "AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST!" alongside the video of a jacked-up, chiseled Santa Claus wearing a bulletproof vest in their push for self-deportation. The Daily Beast called the video "deranged."
The Trump Administration calls the effort "YOU'RE GOING HO HO Home." Approximately 1.9 million illegal migrants have voluntarily self-deported since President Donald Trump took office, with the Trump administration offering a $1,000 bonus and free travel for those using the CBP Home App.
DHS followed up the post with a GIF of President Donald Trump doing his signature dance move, but superimposed onto Santa’s sleigh.
The administration argues the incentive program was more cost-effective than the average $17,000 per person cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting illegal migrants.
Social media reaction to the video was wide-ranging, with lots of laughs at the AI Santa and encouragement for migrants to leave, and others who wrote criticisms like "Don’t make Santa the person who removes people from their place of safety. Ever."