The Department of Homeland Security recently rolled out its new office designed solely to focus on victims of violent crime perpetrated by illegal immigrants. With the office, the White House installed a hotline where people could report any crimes or suspicious activity. Now activists are using the time-honored tradition of the prank phone call to show their opposition.
According to immigrant rights activists, the office just another bigoted propaganda tool for the Trump administration to promote its anti-immigrant policies.
“This office is a depraved and dangerous propaganda vehicle that exploits tragedy to fuel hate and division,” Pam Campos of Common Defense said in a statement. “Our commitment of service has no room for tolerating a xenophobic registry, which serves no purpose in helping victims of crime, and only exists to provide fodder for racism.
With some o-opting the trending sci-fi-related hashtag #AlienDay, activists are claiming they’ve flooded the office’s hotline with tips to crimes committed by space aliens. According to BuzzFeed, ICE officials have confirmed the hotline to be tied up with the bogus reports and are looking to “adjust resources” in response to the calls.
https://twitter.com/stevensantos/status/857402970593525760
https://twitter.com/Jeaniebonotex/status/857306513559474178
https://twitter.com/dpolar1/status/857331627323777024
somebody call 1-855-48-VOICE, an orange colored, toupee wearing alien in a bathrobe has been spotted at 1600 Pensylvania Ave 👽#AlienDay
— modrax (@modrax) April 27, 2017
“There are certainly more constructive ways to make one’s opinions heard than to prevent legitimate victims of crime from receiving the information and resources they seek because the lines are tied up by hoax callers,” an ICE spokesperson said according to BuzzFeed.
“We will adjust resources, if necessary, to ensure that the victims for whom this office and hotline is intended get the info and resources they need.”
Featured image via Gage Skidmore/Pinterest