The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an advertising campaign to deter migrants from entering the United States illegally.
Why It Matters
Last month, President Donald Trump returned to the White House after campaigning on a promise to deport millions of people. A New York Times/Ipsos survey conducted between January 2 and 10 found that 55 percent of voters backed Trump’s mass deportation plan, while 88 percent supported deporting immigrants with criminal records who had no legal permission to live in the U.S. Most Democrats and Republicans agree that the immigration system is broken.
Border crossings have significantly decreased under the Trump administration, which has prioritized restricting migration as a key policy objective.
What To Know
On Monday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the campaign, which is set to air nationally and internationally. The multimillion-dollar ad campaign warns migrants against entering the country illegally and encourages those already present without documentation to leave voluntarily or “face deportation with the inability to return.”
The campaign emphasizes the Trump administration’s strict border enforcement policies and no-tolerance stance against illegal immigration. Noem delivered a stark warning to those in violation of immigration laws, making it clear that the U.S. government was prepared to take aggressive action.
She also cautioned against illegal crossings and criminal activity, saying, “If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down.”
Noem became the fourth member of the Trump administration to receive Senate approval and has assumed leadership of the department at a time when border security and combating illegal immigration are top concerns for the government.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained more than 8,200 individuals between January 22 and January 31, official data showed.
Meanwhile, two groups of about two dozen migrants each abandoned their attempts to reach the United States earlier this month, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks reported, citing Honduran authorities.
What People Are Saying
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Monday: “Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for securing our border and putting America first. President Trump has a clear message: if you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. But if you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream.
“If you are a criminal alien considering entering America illegally: Don’t even think about it. If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome in the United States.”
DHS said in a news release: “This series of ads will run on radio, broadcast, and digital, in multiple countries and regions in various dialects. Ads will be hyper-targeted, including through social media, text message and digital to reach illegal immigrants in the interior of the United States, as well as internationally.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration is expected to continue its large-scale deportation efforts as it looks to curb the flow of drugs entering the country and enforce tougher border security measures.
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