Recommendations of the Editorial team
ICE ads currently appear on nearly all major streaming platforms in the United States. Including Max, Pandora and Spotify. Job advertisements from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been posted there for months.
If you encounter a dystopian-sounding voice calling for you to complete your “mission” to arrest undocumented immigrants, you are not alone. Last month, numerous online users reported seeing and hearing more DHS recruitment ads on streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify and Max. Even during the MTV VMAs in September.
The new ad campaign, which has drawn heavy criticism online, follows the Trump administration’s $30 billion investment. The goal is to hire at least 10,000 additional deportation officers by the end of the year, the Associated Press news agency reports. “You swore an oath to protect and serve, to protect your family and your city,” a speaker says in some spots aimed specifically at local police officers. “But in sanctuary cities, you are told to keep a low profile while dangerous illegals roam free.”
Criticism and user reactions
Last week, music listeners on the free, ad-supported Spotify plan reported hearing similar ads. Some then canceled their membership. When contacted, a Spotify spokesperson told Rolling Stone that the DHS advertisement was part of a “broad-based campaign” by the agency. It does not violate the platform’s advertising guidelines. “Users can give each ad a thumbs up or down to manage their advertising preferences,” the spokesperson said.
However, the recruitment ads don’t just appear on Spotify. Over the past six months, users have also raised concerns on Hulu, Max, YouTube and Pandora. In a public Pandora community thread opened in May 2025, a user who has used Pandora for over 15 years said he was canceling his subscription because of the “overwhelming number” of DHS ads. Numerous other users commented on the post and joined the criticism.
One user wrote: “This is not a random error. It is the result of ad targeting that equates music preferences with immigration status. Your platform appears to allow (or enable) ads that racially and culturally profile users based on the language of the music they like.”
Reactions on other platforms
In August, the DHS confirmed to The Independent that advertising would also run on YouTube, Max, Amazon Prime Video, X, LinkedIn and other platforms. On Reddit, users discussed purchasing VPNs to stream ad-free, while others canceled their subscriptions entirely.
“It’s not just about them running ads, it’s about how TERRIBLE those ads actually are,” one user wrote. Another added: “Forget the hateful bullshit. The stupidity of running this ad in Denver alone is fucking WILD.”
Spanish-language networks such as Univision and Telemundo also aired spots with Kristi Noem urging “illegal immigrants” not to enter the country. An advertising message reads: “Join the mission to protect America. With rewards of up to $50,000 and generous benefits. Apply now at join.ice.gov. Accomplish your mission.”
DHS defends campaign
When contacted, DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Rolling Stone there was “nothing offensive or partisan” about removing so-called criminals from the United States.
“ICE’s recruitment campaign is a resounding success. More than 150,000 applications have been received from patriotic Americans answering the call to defend the homeland by helping to arrest and remove the worst of the worst from our country,” McLaughlin said.
In early October, the AP reported that DHS advertising spending exceeded $6.5 million. Campaigns have been launched in several major cities – including Seattle, Chicago, Washington, DC and Miami – to recruit local officials dissatisfied with their cities’ immigration policies.
No statements from platforms
HBO, Pandora and Hulu did not respond to ROLLING STONE’s request for comment. YouTube did not comment.