The White House sparked controversy on Valentine’s Day after posting a meme on its official social media accounts that took aim at illegal immigration. The post, which appeared on X, Instagram, and Facebook, put a political spin on the well-known “Roses are red, violets are blue” poem.
Instead of a traditional love-themed message, the White House’s version read:
“Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we’ll deport you.”
The post, set against a pink background, featured images of President Donald Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, with a caption reading, “Happy Valentine’s Day” alongside a red heart emoji.
Outrage from Advocacy Groups and Lawmakers
The post immediately drew criticism from Latino advocacy groups and political organizations, who accused the administration of using a lighthearted holiday to push a divisive agenda.
Voto Latino, an organization focused on Latino voter engagement, condemned the post, calling it “offensive and divisive.”
“This post was deliberately crafted to provoke and sow division, but the struggles of immigrant families are not a joke,” the organization said in a statement. “Using a lighthearted holiday to demean and target communities is not only irresponsible—it is beneath the dignity of the presidency.”
The Hispanic Federation also criticized the White House’s messaging, calling for more people to “step up” and reject such rhetoric. Its president and CEO, Frankie Miranda, stated:
“Let me be clear, this action from the White House is not a lighthearted joke.”
Miranda further referenced a past incident in which a comedian at a Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” arguing that the administration’s treatment of Latino communities has become a pattern of disrespect.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also weighed in, responding on X with a direct rebuke:
“You may not take your job seriously, but we do. Your deportations are inhumane, they’re killing the American economy, and they’re separating our families.”
Immigration Crackdown Continues
The controversy comes as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement policies. Recent initiatives include crackdowns on sanctuary cities, efforts to redefine birthright citizenship, and mass deportation plans. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also increased raids targeting undocumented individuals.
The White House has yet to comment on the backlash, but the post underscores the administration’s firm stance on immigration—a stance that remains a deeply polarizing issue ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
As immigration enforcement ramps up, advocacy groups and lawmakers vow to continue pushing back against policies they argue are harmful to immigrant communities.