Comedian Theo Von Claims Government Offered Security After DHS Deportation Video Backlash

Comedian Theo Von was featured without permission in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video promoting deportation efforts, which sparked significant online backlash and harassment against him. The clip used by DHS showed Von saying, "Heard you got deported, dude. Bye," a message originally recorded as a humorous Cameo-style request unrelated to immigration policy. Following the harassment, a high-level government official contacted Von, offering him extra security such as police patrols in his neighborhood. Von expressed frustration and paranoia over the situation, emphasizing that his personal views on immigration are much more nuanced than the DHS video suggested. The DHS video was removed shortly after, although it remains unclear whether the removal was initiated by DHS or the social media platform. Von, whose father immigrated from Nicaragua, criticized DHS's approach as indicative of a "surveillance state" and suggested that everyone might eventually be required to be officially "on the books."