‘Beyond cruel’: White House cops backlash after releasing bizarre ASMR deportation video

The White House has copped backlash after releasing an “ASMR” video of an “illegal alien deportation flight”.

The White House has copped backlash after releasing a “cruel” ASMR video of migrants being shackled and deported on a plane.

The video shared on the White House’s official X account on Wednesday shows illegal immigrants being placed in cuffs and shackles before boarding a plane in Seattle.

“ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight,” the White House captioned the video, which has amassed over 83 million views.

ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response refers to the pleasant tingling sensation which can be felt in response to certain audio triggers such as whispering.

The White House released the video of a deportation flight on Wednesday. Picture: X

“ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight” the caption read. Picture: X

The 41-second clip, begins with a shot of an officer and a migrant standing in front of a plane before the camera pans to another officer wearing a jacket with the words ‘ERO’ – referring to the US’ Enforcement and Removal Operations unit, which manages the nation’s immigration enforcement process.

The video then cuts to another clip capturing the clanking of metal cuffs and shackles on the ground.

Other shots show a man wearing handcuffs standing next to an officer and another person with chains around their feet as they walk up the stairs to board the plane.

The video was first shared by the Seattle office of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier on Wednesday.

“REMOVAL FLIGHT. A group of undocumented aliens are flown from Seattle as part of a process to finalise return to their home countries,” it captioned the video.

One shot shows a person with chains around their feet as they walk up the stairs to board the plane. Picture: X

The White House’s post parked outrage online, with many criticising the decision to label footage of people being deported as “ASMR”.

“This is absolutely disgusting,” one person wrote.

“This is just evil,” said another.

“Making ‘ASMR’ about a human being being deported is beyond cruel. That’s some cartoon type evil,” another wrote.

“Regardless of what you think making light of this is wrong. Shameful post that makes America look bad,” said another.

Another shot shows a man wearing handcuffs standing next to an officer. Picture: X

The video sparked outrage on social media. Picture: X

Tech billionaire and co-head of the nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk reshared the White House’s video writing, “Haha wow”.

His post, which spurred further criticism, was last reposted by the White House.

“Why is treating human beings this way entertaining to you?” one person wrote on Musk’s post.

“This is disgusting. The fact that you think this is funny speaks volumes,” wrote another.

“Deport illegals, fine. But The White House making AMSR jokes and you laughing about it? That’s so gross and unbecoming of our government,” another added.

Others, however, commended the video.

“Luvin it,” one person wrote, while another added: “This is what America has been waiting four years for!”

Mr Musk was criticised for his “disgusting” response. Picture: Jim Watson/AFP

First plane of US deportees received by Panama

US President Donald Trump has long vowed to take action against illegal immigrants.

As far back as 2023, Mr Trump vowed to end “every open borders policy of the Biden administration” on the first day of his second term.

When the time finally came last month, Mr Trump declared a national emergency at the southern US border and vowed to deport “millions and millions” of migrants on his first day in office.

Last week, the first US military plane transporting 119 deportees of various nationalities was received by Panama. Those on board will now be repatriated to their own countries.

President Donald Trump has long vowed to take action against illegal immigrants in the US. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty/AFP

President Jose Raul Mulino, who has offered his country as a stopover for migrants expelled from the US by the Trump administration, said the plane arrived with “people of the most diverse nationalities,” many from Asia.

“We hope to get them out of there as soon as possible,” said Mr Mulino, as he underlined the “contribution that Panama is making on the migration issue.”

The deportees included citizens of China, Pakistan and other Asian countries, said the president, adding more planes are expected from the United States soon.

Latin America is the original home of most of the United States’ estimated 11 million undocumented migrants.

Many had made the dangerous journey through the Darien, braving treacherous terrain, wild animals and criminal gangs for a chance at a better life.

Since Trump took office, undocumented migrants have also flown to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Guatemala, as well as the notorious Guantanamo US military base in Cuba.

Originally published as ‘Beyond cruel’: White House cops backlash after releasing bizarre ASMR deportation video