Bobbi Althoff has spoken out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming federal agents "kidnapped" someone who has been close to her family for over 20 years.
In a TikTok posted on Wednesday (October 1), the podcaster and influencer described the now-detained immigrant as "someone who does nothing other than work really fucking hard to provide for his family" and who doesn't have a criminal record.
"Kidnapped in broad daylight by men who came up in an unmarked Nissan with blacked out windows," the 28-year-old host of Not This Again said. "He was not read his rights. He was not even talked to like he was a real fucking human."
Althoff did not identify the family friend but described the detention center where he was being held as "full of fucking assholes."
"Every single time I’ve had to call there, they’ve been nothing but rude," Althoff said. "None of them have to identify themselves. They get to abuse their power, they get to abuse their control and keep these people in horrible, horrible conditions."
She said ICE’s infringement of immigrants' rights is a nonpartisan issue and affects citizens and non-citizens alike.
"I don’t care whether or not you’re Republican or Democrat," Althoff said. "This is a human rights issue. Racial profiling is not acceptable. What’s happening everywhere right now is not acceptable, and it is one step closer to a dictatorship."
TikTok commenters disagreed, with many pointing out that Republicans, including President Donald Trump, promised mass deportations and similar anti-immigrant policies in their most recent election campaigns.
Althoff encouraged her viewers to "educate themselves" about ongoing political issues, especially those who have platforms of their own.
"I grew up to a very conservative mom and dad, even though my mom was Mexican," she shared. "It took me a couple years into adulthood to finally realize how ignorant I was and how much my views lacked empathy.
"It’s a dangerous, dangerous world to live in where everybody is just thinking about themselves and what will affect them."
The influencer asked for "ideas" about how to use her platform (she has 8.2 million TikTok followers) for good. She said she "would love to try and organize some type of peaceful protest" but has concerns about organizing an event.
"This government loves to take peaceful protests and turn them into something they’re not so that they can start a war on their own people," she said.
In a follow-up video, Althoff addressed Donald Trump and requested an interview with the president.
"I think perhaps you surround yourself with people who agree with you, and you need to hear another perspective," she said. "Maybe I'm not the most educated person to offer that perspective, but I do feel like as someone who grew up very Republican, very conservative, very Christian... perhaps I can help open your mind to things you are currently closed to."
Raids and detention of immigrants have ramped up in the months since Trump took office. ICE officials on Thursday (October 2) said agents will be present at the Super Bowl LX after it was revealed that Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show.
"There is no safe haven for violent criminal illegal aliens in the United States," ICE told TMZ in a statement.
Bad Bunny, who (like all Puerto Ricans) is also a citizen of the U.S., said last month that he had no other U.S. tour dates planned due to fears of ICE raids on his fans.