This holiday season, Santa Claus isn’t just delivering gifts—he’s delivering a warning.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency released a controversial ad that recasts the jolly man in red as a no-nonsense immigration enforcer.
Gone are the candy canes and sleigh bells; in their place are bulletproof vests and handcuffs.
The video shows Santa, complete with his signature red coat, hat, and flowing white beard, gearing up for duty with weapons strapped around his waist.
The twist? The familiar face of cheer now carries an “ICE” badge on his chest and is shown arresting undocumented migrants in city streets, processing them at a facility, and leading them onto a plane for deportation.
A Holiday Incentive Like No Other
The campaign doesn’t stop at a stark visual message.
ICE is actively encouraging undocumented immigrants to “self-deport” before the year ends.
A caption in the ad reads: “AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST! Self-deport today with the CBP Home app, earn $3,000 and spend Christmas at home with loved ones.”
In a bid to sweeten the deal, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tripled the self-deportation stipend for those who sign up, covering a free flight back to their home countries.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urged, “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport.
If they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”
The CBP Home App: Self-Deportation Made Simple
The self-deportation push relies heavily on the CBP Home app, which the Trump administration rebranded in March.
Originally launched as CBP One under the Biden administration to help legal migration, the app now serves as a digital tool to make leaving the U.S. easier for undocumented individuals.
According to DHS estimates, the government spends roughly $17,000 per person on arrests, detention, and deportation.
The app, paired with the Christmas stipend, is being marketed as a more cost-effective and “holiday-friendly” alternative.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Continues
This latest move is part of a broader, aggressive immigration strategy.
President Trump, who promised during his campaign to deport one million immigrants annually, has overseen roughly 622,000 deportations this year, including many who opted to self-deport.
Sources within the administration indicate plans for an even more forceful crackdown in 2026.
Billions in new funding are being directed to ICE and Border Patrol, aiming to expand arrests, detention centers, and enforcement partnerships with private companies.
The $170 billion allocation through September 2029 dwarfs their usual annual budget of around $19 billion.
Expanding Enforcement and Targeted Actions
Trump’s strategy also includes revoking temporary legal statuses for hundreds of thousands of Haitian, Venezuelan, and Afghan immigrants, broadening the pool of individuals eligible for deportation.
White House border czar Tom Homan described this as a historic deportation effort, focusing on criminals while attempting to curb illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I think you’re going to see the numbers explode greatly next year,” Homan said, signaling more workplace raids and stricter enforcement.
Political Pushback on the Horizon
Despite the administration’s assertive messaging, public opinion is shifting.
Miami recently elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years, with the president’s immigration policies cited as a contributing factor.
Across the country, local elections and polling suggest voters are increasingly concerned about aggressive enforcement tactics.
Mike Madrid, a moderate Republican strategist, warned: “People are beginning to see this not as an immigration question anymore as much as it is a violation of rights, a violation of due process, and militarizing neighborhoods extra-constitutionally.
There is no question that is a problem for the president and Republicans.”
Trump’s approval rating on immigration has dipped from 50% in March to 41% in mid-December, reflecting growing unease among voters.
Looking Ahead
As the holiday season unfolds, the administration’s “Santa ICE” campaign sends a clear—and controversial—message: self-deport before the year ends or face enforcement action.
With billions in new funding and plans to expand operations nationwide, next year promises an even more intensive focus on immigration enforcement, just as political tensions rise ahead of the midterms.
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