DHS deletes Transformers-style AI poster depicting Sikh trucker after bipartisan backlash

The useful part

Los Angeles Times Advertisement Politics 'Racist' Transformers-inspired DHS campaign sparks outrage over AI imagery The Department of Homeland Security posted an image that was denounced as racist. Set us as preferred The Department of Homeland Security deleted an 'Transformers'-style poster on X after outrage over its depiction of a Sikh truck driver. Posted Wednesday to the official X account for DHS, the image created by artificial intelligence depicted the "Transformers" character opposite a bearded man wearing a bandanna over his hair.

How it works

• The image, made to look like a movie poster, stated, "America for Americans." "Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive Mr.
• In photos released by DHS, Harjinder Singh wears similar clothes as the man in the now-deleted AI image.
• 1, 2026 In its campaign against immigrant commercial drivers, the Trump administration has repeatedly pointed out Sikh and Indian truckers, who make up about 20% of that industry's workforce.
• She can be reached at andrea.castillo@latimes.com or via Signal at acastillo.01.
• (Associated Press) By Andrea Castillo Staff Writer Follow Sept.

What to take from it

Politics Citing California as a problem state, Trump administration shuts down 110 trucking schools Federal officials said the targeted schools were connected to more than 5,000 drivers who had failed English proficiency tests. The department recently cited California as a problem state that allows drivers who don't speak sufficient English to obtain licenses. Advertisement "No American should be targeted because of their faith or their name," Valadao wrote on X.

Example or evidence

• 19, 2026 World & Nation Trump administration begins building border wall in Texas' Big Bend region Sept.
• Senator Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) September 10, 2026 Other X posts by DHS that reference Transformers remain online.
• Sikh Americans and elected officials condemned the image and accused the Trump administration of using racist imagery to stigmatize Sikhs while promoting its deportation campaign.
• DHS said the post depicted Harjinder Singh, an Indian truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash last year that left three people dead after his 18-wheeler collided with their minivan in Florida.

Details worth keeping

'Racist': DHS posted an AI image of a Sikh man. Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

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