DHS Slammed for Posting Doctored Video Targeting Black Teens

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sparked outrage after posting a doctored video depicting Black teenagers as violent threats toward immigration agents. The manipulated clip, captioned “FAFO” — short for “F*** around and find out” — falsely suggested the teens were threatening ICE officers. In reality, the original TikTok video was a lighthearted joke referencing Iran, not U.S. officials. This misleading post, shared through DHS’s official X account, raised grave ethical concerns about digital manipulation and government overreach.

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) directly called out DHS Director Kristi Noem, demanding accountability for the fabrication. “Kristi – DELETE THIS TWEET or answer for it in Congress. It’s FAKE,” he wrote. “You’re destroying these kids’ lives over a doctored video. Take it down.” His statement condemned the weaponization of social media against innocent young people, particularly Black youth, by a federal department expected to uphold truth and integrity.

The original video creator, shocked to see his content distorted by a government agency, said, “I saw the caption and I was like, ‘I didn’t do that!’ ... Here’s the f— part: the federal government is involved with something that I didn’t do. What?” His disbelief reflects broader fears about how artificial intelligence and digital manipulation are being used to construct dangerous narratives targeting marginalized communities.

Beyond this specific incident, the DHS’s use of AI raises even deeper concerns. CNN reported that DHS now employs Palantir’s “ImmigrationOS,” which uses algorithms to “flag potential violations, prioritize leads and direct officers on next steps.” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons described the approach chillingly as “Like Prime, but with human beings.” Such efficiency, achieved through AI-driven surveillance, risks amplifying harm by erasing accountability and human judgment.

As writer Sarah Jeong observed, this tactic resembles “s**tposting” — a form of nihilistic, performative cruelty meant to inflame rather than inform. When federal agencies use this style of communication, it reflects a breakdown in democratic norms and moral restraint. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) warned, “I’m extremely concerned about how ICE will use spyware, facial recognition and other technology to further trample on the rights of Americans and anyone who Donald Trump labels as an enemy.”

This incident exposes a disturbing abuse of technology and power—where misinformation, surveillance, and racial targeting converge under the guise of public safety.

Link: Black Enterprise