Department of Homeland Security deletes AI-generated image after backlash

The AI-generated post showed the "Transformers" character confronting a bearded man wearing a turban, and it included the message "Self-deport or find out" and told "Mr. Singh" to get off American roads because he did not "know how to drive."

Published: September 11, 2026 8:49am

The Department of Homeland Security deleted a social media post that included an AI-generated image of a Sikh man and an Optimus Prime-like character after it drew accusations that the agency was using a racial stereotype.

The post appeared Wednesday on the official account of DHS on X, The Washington Sun reported

The post showed the "Transformers" character confronting a bearded man wearing a turban, and it included the message "Self-deport or find out" and told "Mr. Singh" to get off American roads because he did not "know how to drive."

The Sikh Coalition and Hindu American Foundation condemned the graphic as racist and anti-Indian. 

“Millions of Sikhs in the United States have the last name Singh, which means lion. We remain fearless in identifying as Sikhs—even when our government portrays us as enemies,” the Sikh Coalition said in a post on X

The image was related to a DHS crackdown this year targeting immigrants who obtain commercial drivers' licenses without understanding English or being able to read road signs. 

The DHS told the Sun that the criticism of the post is "nonsensical drivel" and "faux outrage." The post, according to the DHS, depicted Harjinder Singh, an Indian truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash in Florida last year when his 18-wheeler collided with a minivan on the highway, killing three people in the other vehicle. Singh has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and manslaughter charges.

 

 

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