ICE has warned illegal immigrants in the United States to “avoid Santa’s naughty list” in a bizarre AI-generated video depicting Santa as an immigration agent.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is offering illegal immigrants a $3,000 reward if they self-deport before the end of the year.
The strange video, shared by ICE via X (formerly Twitter), shows Santa Claus with his long white beard wearing his traditional Santa suit – but with a menacing twist.
Over his uniform, AI Santa wears military-style fingerless gloves and a red bulletproof vest with “ICE” written on the front.
He is seen checking the magazine pouches on the vest, while several other ICE agents behind him check their equipment.
A huge American flag hangs on the wall.
In the next clip, Santa, still in his tactical gear but this time with his hat on, is seen handcuffing a man.
Lights flash on several police cars in the darkness and a colleague faces the detainee.
The arrested man is then seen in police custody filling out paperwork while Santa looks on before the video cuts to people boarding a plane with “ICE Air” written on the side.
Santa Claus holds a clipboard as passengers board the plane.
The screen fades to black before the message “Merry Christmas” appears.
In the post, ICE said: “AVOID ICE AIR AND SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST!”
“Deport yourself today with the CBP Home app, earn $3,000 and spend Christmas at home with your loved ones.
“The vacation incentive is valid until the end of 2025.”
The video, uploaded on December 22, has so far been viewed more than 475,000 times.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the self-deportation benefit was tripled as part of this Christmas campaign.
The payment would be made to illegal immigrants who agree to leave the country by the end of the year.
The offer would include a free return flight to their home country.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday: “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 come back.”
The Trump administration launched a rebranded app called CBP Home in March to make it easier for people to self-deport.
The app, previously called CBP One, was used by the Biden administration to allow migrants to legally enter the United States.
This is not the first time the US government has used AI-generated content to get its messages across.
In February, President Donald Trump shared a disturbing AI video in which Gaza was depicted as a tropical paradise instead of the war-torn city it has become over the past two years.
In the footage, he is seen drinking cocktails by a pool with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
And in September, Trump deleted a video in which an AI version of himself promised to give Americans their own “panacea bed.”
The AI-generated US president said: “They are equipped with the most advanced technology in the world.
“These facilities are safe, modern and designed to restore every citizen to full health and strength.”
The post was deleted shortly after it was published.
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