A new Trump administration campaign designed to discourage illegal migration is drawing sharp criticism abroad and stirring controversy at home, as Mexico moves to ban what it calls foreign “propaganda” from its airwaves.
Launched under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, the multimillion-dollar initiative is aimed at convincing undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to self-deport, while dissuading others from attempting illegal entry. Funded by U.S. taxpayers, the campaign’s estimated $200 million price tag over two years has sparked heated debate.
Read also: Trump slams Zelensky for refusing to recognize Russian control of Crimea
The ads marked by their stark tone and political messaging are already airing on television and radio across Latin America, including Mexico. But their reception south of the border has been anything but warm.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a leftist who has until recently aligned with many of President Donald Trump’s demands on curbing migration and the fentanyl trade, has come out strongly against the ads. Denouncing them as a breach of Mexico’s sovereignty, Sheinbaum is pushing for swift legislative action to outlaw such broadcasts.
“Mexico stands for diversity, inclusion and rights,” Sheinbaum declared at a press briefing this week. “Our sovereignty must be respected.”
In a rare show of political unity, lawmakers across Mexico’s ideological spectrum are backing the move. The proposed legislation would prohibit the transmission of foreign government-funded messaging, particularly from the United States, on national TV and radio stations.
The backlash comes amid broader tensions surrounding immigration policy and U.S.-Mexico relations. Despite Sheinbaum’s earlier cooperation with Trump, including tariff negotiations and stepped-up border enforcement, the ad campaign appears to have struck a nerve.
Back in the United States, critics are also questioning the campaign’s political overtones and the decision to allocate massive funding to a media blitz while government agencies face budget cuts. Elon Musk’s recently created Department of Government Efficiency (U.S. DOGE) has been implementing widespread job reductions across federal departments.
The Noem-led campaign’s effectiveness remains to be seen. But with rising diplomatic tensions and mounting scrutiny, its early days have proven anything but efficient.
Follow New Daily Prime for more updates.
