White House Faces Criticism for Message Urging Americans to Report ‘Foreign Invaders’

In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, the White House and Department of Homeland Security have shared a modified Uncle Sam poster on social media encouraging Americans to report undocumented immigrants, amplifying what critics describe as xenophobic messaging during an already tense period for immigration policy.

The poster, depicting the iconic Uncle Sam figure with the message “Help your country… and yourself… report all foreign invaders,” represents a stark departure from the character’s traditional use in military recruitment and civic engagement campaigns. Both official government accounts shared the image alongside a phone number for reporting “criminal activity” to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

What has particularly alarmed immigration advocates and government watchdogs is the origin of the image. The poster was originally created by a social media user known as “Mr. Robert,” who self-identifies as a white supremacist and regularly posts content with explicit racial messaging, including phrases like “Wake up, white man.” The user has expressed surprise at the official adoption of his imagery, noting on social media platform X that he didn’t expect such impact and expressing pride that his “efforts” had reached the highest levels of government.

The endorsement comes at a particularly volatile moment for the Trump administration, which has implemented aggressive anti-immigration measures since returning to office. Reports indicate the administration is pursuing a quota of approximately 3,000 daily arrests of undocumented immigrants, potentially totaling over one million deportations in the administration’s first year.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, an immigration attorney and senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, voiced alarm at the government’s embrace of such messaging. “This country is in serious trouble,” he wrote on X. “I am deeply concerned about this country and about the continuation of all the things that truly made us great: the rule of law, equal rights for all, and a professional civil service.”

The poster is not merely circulating online – physical copies are being sold for $17.95 on various e-commerce sites, indicating commercial monetization of the divisive message.

Critics point to this incident as consistent with broader policy shifts under the current administration. Since taking office, President Trump has signed executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, restricted international student access to prestigious universities, limited immigration from Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, and systematically removed protections for migrants in what some observers characterize as an attempt to encourage “self-deportation.”

The administration has also taken controversial steps regarding domestic extremism, including pardoning members of groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Public reaction to the shared poster has been polarized, with supporters praising it as aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” platform, while opponents view it as an alarming endorsement of xenophobic sentiment by official government channels.

The repurposing of Uncle Sam – a symbol that has historically represented national unity during times of crisis, particularly during the World Wars – into an anti-immigrant mascot represents a significant shift in government messaging. Immigration policy experts note that such rhetoric has tangible effects on community relations, potentially increasing hostility toward immigrant communities regardless of their legal status.

As protests against the administration’s immigration policies continue across the country, the White House’s amplification of this messaging appears likely to intensify rather than ease the ongoing national debate over immigration, enforcement, and the boundaries of acceptable government rhetoric.