Love seems to be in the air, and Customs and Border Protection is perhaps hoping that illegal immigrants might feel the urge to respond to it.
The agency shared a lighthearted Valentine’s Day message encouraging undocumented immigrants to consider participating in the Trump administration’s “self-deportation” initiative.
“Don’t wait. Leave today and spend this Valentine’s Day with your loved ones,” the authorities stated. A message was posted Saturday morning.
In a recent video, set to the romantic tunes of Elvis Presley, the agency suggested that immigrants might want to “self-deport.” The video presented slow-motion visuals, depicting the process of deportation, while playing “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Amidst the lyrics, “Shall I stay here? Will it be a sin?” the video featured visuals of military planes, buses with migrants, and deportees being escorted away by agents.
“Spend Valentine’s Day with your loved ones. Please leave the country today,” the message wrapped up, styled in a font reminiscent of a card for a close friend.
By Saturday afternoon, the post had garnered nearly 400,000 views. It referenced a program aimed at persuading undocumented immigrants to accept cash and free flights instead of braving enforcement measures that can lead to prolonged struggles.
This playful approach follows a recent public relations setback for the agency, stemming from the tragic shooting of Alex Preti, a Minneapolis Veterans Administration nurse, reportedly by two employees. The incident led to protests and heightened tensions in Washington, which in turn contributed to a government shutdown that commenced Saturday.
The message was released just after the federal government announced it would be pausing an increase in immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
Many immigrants in the U.S. send money back home, maintaining connections with loved ones. The hope is that some may take the agency’s invitation and travel back to reunite.
Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol agent overseeing the recent operations, returned to California afterward. His successor, Tom Homan, border czar, revealed last week that a surge in immigration enforcement would come to an end.
The advertisements are aimed at those in the U.S. illegally, particularly those who may have left family behind in their home countries. Although exact numbers are hard to pin down, it’s evident from the billions in remittances sent home annually that strong ties exist.
