KATSEYE's Lara Falsely Reported to Ice by Online User

Lara Rajagopalan, a member of the global girl group KATSEYE, was falsely reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by an anonymous online user who claimed the idol was an undocumented immigrant.

The Indian-origin American singer, who is a verified U.S. citizen, became the target of what appears to be a malicious act stemming from K-pop fan rivalries on social media platforms.

The false report was filed through the agency's official tip form, with the perpetrator allegedly using a profile picture of ILLIT member Wonhee, leading to speculation about tensions between different K-pop fandoms. Screenshots of the incident quickly circulated on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing the user bragging about submitting the fraudulent immigration report.

KATSEYE's fanbase, known as Eyekons, responded with outrage and immediately began reporting the account responsible for the false claim. Fans organized efforts to defend Lara and called for the account to be suspended, with many expressing anger at the dangerous escalation of fan conflicts. The account was subsequently deleted or suspended following the backlash.

The timing of the incident coincided with heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has set a goal of 3,000 daily arrests across Democratic-led cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. This broader immigration crackdown has expanded ICE operations into private homes, public spaces, and courthouses, drawing criticism for potentially targeting minorities and even U.S. citizens.

Lara, who was born in Texas and is a Dallas native, has previously faced racist attacks online, including incidents where viewers compared her to disturbing internet characters during livestreams. Her fellow KATSEYE members Manon and Daniela have publicly defended her against such harassment, with Manon notably confronting trolls directly during group broadcasts.

The false ICE report represents a particularly serious escalation of online harassment, as filing fraudulent reports to federal agencies can carry legal consequences. The agency's official tip form includes warnings that providing false information could result in fines, imprisonment, or both under federal law.

Fans have demanded that HYBE, KATSEYE's management company, take legal action to protect Lara and other artists from similar harassment. The incident has reignited discussions about the responsibility of entertainment companies to safeguard their artists from malicious online behavior and the need for accountability when fan conflicts cross into potentially criminal territory.

The issue highlights ongoing concerns about racism and harassment within K-pop fandoms, particularly targeting artists from diverse backgrounds who face additional scrutiny based on their ethnicity or personal identity.