President Donald Trump has promised to launch 'the largest mass deportation program in American history.' — Photography MANDEL NGAN/AFP
Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has launched a vast offensive against illegal immigrants. This operation has sparked outrage among many Americans, some of whom have taken to TikTok to offer support and advice on how to avoid deportation.
The announcement of new anti-immigration measures is making waves on social media. In response, thousands of Internet users are getting together on TikTok to share practical advice and strategies to help illegal immigrants evade checks of papers and deportations. This spontaneous mobilisation quickly gained momentum, with viral videos racking up millions of views on the app, explaining how to act with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents.
One of the most widely-shared pieces of advice is the use of "red cards” distributed by immigrant rights organisations. These cards, available in several languages, inform immigrants of their rights and remind them that they do not have to answer questions from ICE agents without the presence of a lawyer.
On TikTok, several content creators have launched an appeal to citizens whose documents are in order, urging them to support the undocumented by reporting the presence of immigration agents in their area. The method is simple but effective: shout "LA MIGRA” as soon as they spot agents. "La migra” is an informal Spanish term for the immigration authorities. The aim is twofold: to warn off illegal immigrants working in the area, and to slow down operations by creating a distraction for the agents. For example, legal immigrants could run in the opposite direction, or take their time answering questions, thereby giving undocumented immigrants more time to leave the area. This technique, which can only be successfully employed by someone with legal status, demonstrates active and concrete solidarity with the most vulnerable.
To avoid censorship on the social network and be able to get their messages of support in front of the most eyeballs, TikTok users have adopted some creative strategies. One of the most creative is the "Cute winter boots” trend. Under the guise of sharing fashion videos featuring cute winter boots, content creators subtly integrate crucial advice and information to help undocumented migrants avoid ICE checks -- or slippery frozen conditions, hence the use of the expression "winter boots”). By using seemingly innocuous hashtags and showing handwritten messages that differ from their audio, they manage to bypass moderation algorithms and raise awareness of their rights among a wide audience.
Beyond practical advice, Internet users are also offering psychological and logistical support. Discussion groups are being formed to organise citizen patrols, monitor the activities of ICE agents and alert communities to impending raids. This digital solidarity creates a network of protection and assistance, strengthening the resilience of immigrant communities.
For many observers, this citizen mobilisation is a direct response to policies that some consider inhumane and discriminatory, and others even describe as an attack on fundamental values of American society, such as inclusion and diversity. By organizing on TikTok, Internet users are sending a clear message: they are allies of the targeted, and they refuse to remain passive in the face of these measures. – AFP Relaxnews
