TAAF Statement on DHS Social Media Post

TAAF is concerned by a now-deleted social media post from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security containing an AI-generated depiction of a Sikh truck driver and the phrase, “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive Mr. Singh.”

Sikh, South Asian, and Asian Americans have long faced stereotypes and assumptions based on their names, appearance, and perceived immigrant status. When a federal agency invokes those stereotypes in the context of immigration enforcement, it risks reinforcing the notion that ethnicity or identity can be a proxy for who belongs in America.

Immigration status should be a matter of individual circumstance, not race, ethnicity, religion, or appearance. Government institutions have a responsibility to ensure that their communications do not blur that distinction or contribute to the unfair targeting of Asian American and immigrant communities.

Every person in America should be treated with dignity and judged on their individual circumstances, not stereotyped because of who they are or where they come from.

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About The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)

TAAF serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AAPI communities, we invest in initiatives to combat anti-Asian hate, integrate AAPI studies into school curricula, elevate authentic AAPI storytelling, and expand resources and representation for our communities. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AAPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org or follow @TAAForg on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or Facebook.