BTS labelmate and Indian-origin idol Lara falsely reported to ICE amid US deportation raids
HYBE, the powerhouse K-pop agency behind global sensations like BTS, is now facing controversy after one of its newly debuted girl group members was falsely reported to US immigration authorities. Lara Rajagopalan, a member of HYBE and Geffen Records’ global group KATSEYE, was recently targeted in a now-deleted post on social media platform X, where a user claimed to have submitted a tip-off to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing her of being in the country illegally.
The incident, which unfolded during an ongoing fan war between supporters of KATSEYE and rival girl group ILLIT, comes at a time when US Immigration and ICE has ramped up raids and arrests under a sweeping deportation campaign linked to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
According to Koreaboo, the anonymous user claimed to have submitted a tip-off to ICE, accusing Lara of being an “illegal alien,” despite her status as a confirmed US citizen. The accusation, made without basis, was met with swift backlash from KATSEYE fans, many of whom flagged the post for harassment and misinformation.
‘Disgusting’ move condemned by fans
As ICE increases operations in Democratic strongholds like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, concerns around due process, mistaken identity, and racial profiling have intensified. Reports of masked agents appearing at restaurants, homes, and even courthouses have drawn widespread criticism, particularly as even US citizens and Indigenous communities have been mistakenly targeted.
Amid this climate, fans described the targeting of Lara as reckless and “disgusting,” warning against weaponising misinformation during fan disputes. “The act itself could very much affect her career,” wrote one user, echoing broader worries about the real-life consequences of online hate.
HYBE yet to comment, fans rally in support
Although HYBE has not released a formal statement on the situation, the support for Lara has continued to grow online. Many fans used the opportunity to highlight the dangers of spreading false narratives, especially concerning immigration — a topic currently dominating headlines in the US.
Lara Rajagopalan, also known simply as Lara, rose to prominence as a contestant on the 2023 survival reality show ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,’ which led to the formation of KATSEYE. The multicultural girl group includes members from the US, Switzerland, South Korea, and the Philippines. They officially debuted in June 2024 with the single ‘Debut,’ followed by their breakout track ‘Touch.’
Born in New York, Lara has a background in dance, singing, and acting. She began training at the age of four and is best known for her appearances on NBC's ‘The Blacklist’ and in Michelle Obama's Global Girls Alliance campaign. She secured the second spot during the final selection for KATSEYE’s lineup.
Known for embracing her Indian roots, Lara often wears a bindi as part of her look — a symbol of her South Asian identity and Hindu heritage. Fluent in English and Tamil, she represents a growing wave of diverse talent in global pop music.
Group previously targeted over LGBTQ+ backlash
This incident also follows recent backlash faced by another KATSEYE member, Megan, who came out as bisexual during a live broadcast in June — joining Lara, who had previously identified as queer. While the group received international praise during Pride Month, Megan became the target of a viral post on South Korea’s Pann forum.
The post, which featured a clip of Megan’s coming out, attracted over 100,000 views and sparked homophobic comments, many of which were voted to the top. However, fellow users quickly pushed back, defending Megan and calling out the prejudice.
“Even though these were the most liked comments under the viral post, many others were quick to come to Megan’s defence,” reports noted. Across X and other platforms, support for both Megan and Lara continues to pour in, particularly from fans in South Korea and the US.