The US Embassy in Mexico has faced widespread outrage online over an AI-generated video encouraging migrants to “self-deport”.
Video posted earlier this week by the US Embassy shows a group of men wearing black hats and tattoos performing a type of traditional Mexican song called a corrido.
As reported, the AI-generated songs emphasize messages of national pride and self-reliance Guardian. “The corridor rings loud in your homeland; return to your roots. You don’t have to go very far to get ahead. Listen to what they say: Mexican power lies within you.” AI artist sings.
The post included a direct link to CBP Home, a government website designed to assist immigrants currently in the US with the process of returning to their countries of origin.
The video not only made headlines in major Mexican news outlets, labeling it a “manipulation of cultural heritage”, but also took the Internet by storm.
Users on social platforms have condemned the use of a beloved musical genre like corrido to convey the message of deterrence and repatriation.
“Your retirees and digital nomads can spend their money in their home country,” one user wrote on Instagram, referring to the large population of American citizens in Mexico.
Another commented on X: “What a pathetic ad.”
Last year, former US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem launched a series of video ads targeting migrants and urging them to stay home or self-deport.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described these videos as “discriminatory” and urged the Mexican Congress to pass a law banning such manipulative advertisements.
“We are going to change the law to prevent foreign governments from carrying out political and ideological propaganda in our country,” Sheinbaum said.
