DHS Takes Down ‘Mr. Singh’ Post Targeting Indian Truckers After Racism Charges
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Homeland Security has pulled down a social media post targeting “Mr. Singh” after widespread criticism from Sikh and Indian American groups and Democratic lawmakers, backing away from a message the department initially defended as part of its campaign against undocumented commercial drivers.
The post, published on September 9 on DHS’s official X account, showed a brown-skinned, bearded man wearing a head covering facing Optimus Prime from the ‘Transformers’ franchise, depicted with a DHS insignia. The graphic told “Mr. Singh” to “get off our roads” because he did not know how to drive and urged undocumented immigrants to “self-deport or find out.”
As the first storm of protests began, DHS initially stood by the message, saying it referred to Harjinder Singh, an Indian man accused of causing a fatal Florida crash last year that killed three people in a minivan.
The department also tied the post to its broader campaign against undocumented truck drivers. In a related video, DHS highlighted several commercial drivers it said were in the country illegally, including Harjinder Singh.
Critics said the government had turned an individual immigration and criminal case into a message that could stigmatize an entire community.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) said the federal government should not use its authority to single out people because of their names, faith or heritage. He warned that portraying “Mr. Singh” as a villain could direct suspicion toward the many Sikh Americans who share the surname.
The Sikh Coalition said the message was particularly troubling because Sikhs have faced decades of profiling based on their appearance, including violence and harassment after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The controversy comes as the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement and focused on commercial drivers, including Indian truckers. The DHS campaign has also promoted its CBP Home program, which encourages eligible undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily.
By September 10 afternoon, the “Mr. Singh” graphic was no longer on DHS’s account.
Daljit Singh
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This graphic presentation by the Department of Homeland Security was the most uncivilized action by any public agency anywhere in the world. The government has crossed all civilized norms and has reached the point of no return, dehumanizing and demeaning people because of their skin color, religion, nationality, and gender. Where is the Justice Department, and especially its enforcement official, Harmeet Dhillon?
September 10, 2026Darleen Dhillon
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I agree 100% with what Daljit Singh has written above. Harmeet (Kaur) Dhillon is an embarrassment. I share her last name, and I groan every time I see her mentioned in the media, twisting yet one more value into something cruel and unrecognizable. Sigh…I wish we had better leaders at her level.
September 10, 2026Darleen Dhillon
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I agree 100% with what Daljit Singh has written above. Harmeet (Kaur) Dhillon gets so many things wrong. I share her surname, and just groan whenever I see her in the media twisting yet another value into something unrecognizable. We need better leaders at her level.
September 10, 2026Manny
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I love Harmeet Kaur. Sherni hai sherni. Securing the country for the generations to come. The other side is ready to squander the country’s wealth and future on illegals.
September 10, 2026pemba
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Why so much protest, over the fact that the member of the particular community who is responsible for the 3 avoidable deaths in Florida is mentioned by DHS on Social Media.
September 10, 2026