ICE Draws Attention Over 'Fake & Gay' Response to 60 Minutes Report on Deported Malian National Moussa Diawara

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has sparked controversy after using the phrase “Fake Gay” in a social media post criticising a CBS News 60 Minutes report about Moussa Diawara, a Malian national deported from the United States. The response has drawn attention to the agency’s handling of the case and the competing accounts surrounding Diawara’s immigration history.

The dispute centres on a 60 Minutes report examining Diawara’s deportation, his separation from his family and the circumstances surrounding his removal from the United States. ICE challenged the programme’s portrayal of him, pointing to information in his earlier asylum application and arguing that the report did not provide sufficient context. Diawara reportedly lived in the United States for around 25 years, where he married and raised two children who are American citizens. He worked as an Uber driver in Texas before being detained by immigration authorities in July 2026.

According to CBS News, an immigration judge ruled in 2012 that Diawara should not be deported to Mali because he could face persecution if returned there. The decision allowed him to obtain work authorisation but did not provide him with permanent residency or US citizenship. The case took another turn in July 2026, when US authorities deported Diawara to Ghana rather than directly to Mali. CBS News reported that he was subsequently transferred to Mali, raising questions about the effectiveness of safeguards intended to protect people who have previously been found at risk of persecution.

ICE’s response focused on Diawara’s earlier asylum application, which reportedly cited a fear of persecution based on his sexual orientation. The agency used that information to challenge the way 60 Minutes presented his family life and immigration history. The details of an asylum application and a person’s marital status do not, on their own, establish whether a claim is fraudulent. Any allegation of immigration fraud must be assessed on the available evidence and relevant legal findings. The wording of ICE’s social media post has also become a subject of discussion. Critics may question whether language such as “Fake Gay” is an appropriate way for a government agency to dispute a news report, particularly when the case involves allegations of persecution and family separation.

The controversy highlights broader questions about US immigration enforcement, third-country deportations and the responsibility of public agencies to communicate disputed cases accurately. It also underscores the importance of news organisations providing sufficient context when reporting on complex immigration proceedings. While ICE has challenged the programme’s account, the competing claims must be considered separately from the documented history of Diawara’s deportation. The case continues to draw attention to the legal protections available to deportees and the consequences of sending individuals to countries where their safety may be uncertain.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from AFP.