Controversy Surrounds DHS Immigration Recruitment Materials

The Department of Homeland Security is facing criticism for its recent recruitment efforts and promotional content, which critics claim contain imagery and references that echo far-right and white supremacist symbolism. As the Trump administration intensifies its mass deportation strategy, watchdog groups express concern that some DHS social media content appears designed to appeal to extremist elements.

Wendy Via from the Global Project Against Extremism and Hate, which monitors the department’s communications, notes that recent posts have gained traction among far-right groups such as the Proud Boys. According to Via, these groups “celebrate the agency’s tone as validation” of their ideology.

One controversial video recently posted on the department’s X account featured a character known as “Moon Man” or “Mac Tonight,” alongside images of a younger Donald Trump and text stating: “LIFE AFTER ALL CRIMINAL ALIENS ARE DEPORTED” and “the future is bright.” The Anti-Defamation League has included Moon Man on its list of hate symbols frequently used by white supremacist groups and movements.

Another contentious DHS social media post depicted nine Black immigrants encased in crystals, imagery reminiscent of the video game Elder Scrolls, where souls are trapped in crystal prisons. Similar imagery has been embraced by extremist groups, including the Ohio chapter of the Proud Boys, who have circulated images of Trump walking past liberals trapped in crystals with captions referencing punishment for those who opposed him.

The department also posted a recruitment video featuring footage of federal agents arresting ICE protesters in Oregon, set to MGMT’s track “Little Dark Age” – a song that has been adopted by Neo-Nazi groups since Trump’s first term. The video was later removed after the band stated they had not authorized use of their music and wanted no association with what they termed DHS “propaganda.”

Critics fear such content could exacerbate already heightened tensions surrounding Trump’s deportation policies. “The danger is that this kind of campaign is going to attract people who have a probability of getting into this job for the wrong reasons,” Via told the Daily Beast.

The controversial recruitment content emerges as DHS, under Secretary Kristi Noem, faces criticism for aggressive enforcement tactics. Recent incidents include ICE officers tackling a young mother at a Manhattan federal courthouse, using tear gas in a Chicago neighborhood, and breaking car windows of suspected undocumented immigrants.

Despite mounting criticism, President Trump defended ICE operations during a recent “60 Minutes” interview, stating, “I think they haven’t gone far enough.” He added: “You have to get the people out. Many of them are murderers. Many of them are people that were thrown out of their countries because they were, you know, criminals.”

The administration maintains that Trump’s election victory provided a mandate for his deportation policy, which featured prominently in his campaign. To accelerate enforcement, DHS has launched an aggressive recruitment drive, offering $50,000 sign-on bonuses and removing age restrictions to allow anyone 18 or older to join.

Last week, DHS faced additional criticism after releasing a security video featuring Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino wearing a long black trench coat with star collar pins and a slicked crew cut. The video was posted the same day Bovino was ordered to attend daily court check-ins by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis following accusations he had used tear gas against protesters without justification. Social media users quickly drew comparisons between Bovino’s appearance and SS-era uniforms, sharing side-by-side images with Nazi officers.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole, pause and watch this video. They aren’t even trying to hide who they are.”

While DHS has declined to address the most recent criticism, it previously dismissed similar concerns, telling CNN earlier this year: “Calling everything you dislike ‘Nazi propaganda’ is tiresome.”