People Are Trolling Trump's New Anti-Immigrant Hotline With Reports Of Space Aliens And The Government Is Not Amused

"There are certainly more constructive ways to make one’s opinions heard," the immigration agency said.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration launched a new office called the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE), to assist victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants as part of the president's executive order to curtail illegal immigration.

As part of VOICE, immigration officials also established a hotline where "people impacted by crimes committed by illegal aliens" could receive support.

Critics say the initiative unfairly targets and instills fear in nonwhite immigrants and condones racism. And it did not take long for people to realize this new "criminal alien" crackdown campaign on #AlienDay. So naturally...

Wouldn't it be a shame if millions of people called this hotline to report their encounters with aliens of the UFO-… https://t.co/IjouEnR5hv

...the internet, obviously, heeded the call. People started sharing the hotline's number, telling others to call and report how they've been victimized by space aliens.

1-855-48-VOICE I plan on calling every day to report how badly these green aliens from outer space are treating me. How about you?

In case you want to share your X-Files fan fiction with DHS... 1-855-48-VOICE https://t.co/o0LUR6GCCS

If any of you need to report space aliens to our government, please call their hotline: 1-855-48-VOICE. Here are so… https://t.co/o6RcozchQb

Don't forget about those at-large Muggles.

O k twitter, new item for your task list Call 1-855-48-VOICE RIGHT. NOW. Report any at-large muggle-borns you see… https://t.co/MxLQp4lvyZ

Or Superman or Big Foot.

Don't forget to call 1-855-48-VOICE & let them know if you've seen the illegal alien Sasquatch (aka Big Foot), on t… https://t.co/5PP9OzRe34

Others said they were calling to report an illegal alien who was impersonating the president.

somebody call 1-855-48-VOICE, an orange colored, toupee wearing alien in a bathrobe has been spotted at 1600 Pensylvania Ave 👽 #AlienDay

Alexander McCoy, a Marine Corps veteran, told BuzzFeed News he called the hotline Wednesday afternoon to report that he had been abducted by a UFO. He said he was on hold for about 20 minutes before speaking with someone, who asked him if he "was calling to report a crime committed by an illegal alien."

When asked what the crime was, McCoy said the operator didn't really get the joke.

McCoy, a member of the activist group Common Defense, said he came up with the idea to troll VOICE because he noticed #AlienDay was trending on Twitter and thought it might "be a catchy way to fight back against the Trump administration's use of bigoted language and racist stereotypes of criminality."

"I think it's powerful to see the response there's been. I think there are a lot of people who have been searching for something they can do to speak out, and I'm glad that so many people are showing solidarity with the immigrant community," he said.

Another caller, Lisa P., told BuzzFeed News she dialed the hotline to report being victimized by first lady Melania Trump. It also did not go over so well.

Like McCoy, people said they were on hold for sometime before getting through.

@AlexanderMcCoy4 @ALT_uscis Just tried to call to report the theft of my tractor by space cadets -- on hold for 8 m… https://t.co/JTJhY3OvJi

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told BuzzFeed News the hotlines were "tied up by hoax callers."

"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.

"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."

So next time something like this happens, you know who to call.

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