NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Los Angeles, CA, June 19, 2025: Lara Rajagopalan, the Indian American member of the rising K-pop girl group KATSEYE, recently became the target of a false immigration complaint filed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in what appears to be a malicious attempt by a rival fan.
The anonymous tip accused Rajagopalan, a U.S. citizen, of being an undocumented immigrant — a claim that has been debunked by official records and her management team. The complaint reportedly came through ICE’s public reporting form, a system designed to accept tips about immigration violations. The user who filed the report is believed to be part of an ongoing “fan war” between supporters of KATSEYE and rival K-pop acts, possibly involving fans of the girl group ILLIT.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of heightened ICE activity, particularly in cities like Los Angeles. It quickly raised concerns about the misuse of public reporting systems for targeted harassment.
Fans of KATSEYE, known as “Eyekons,” sprang into action after learning of the false report. They flooded social media with messages of support for Rajagopalan and condemned the individual who filed the complaint. Many pointed out that the profile photo used by the anonymous tipster featured a member of ILLIT, further stoking speculation that this was a deliberate act fueled by online rivalries.
“This is beyond toxic fandom—it’s dangerous,” one supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Weaponizing immigration systems to harass idols is completely unacceptable.”
HYBE and Geffen Records, the joint companies behind KATSEYE, have yet to issue an official statement, but fans are calling for increased protection and stricter digital safeguards for idols.
Lara Rajagopalan, who was born and raised in the United States, is seen as a trailblazer in the K-pop world for representing Indian American identity in a largely East Asian-dominated industry.
Cover photo: Lara Rajagopalan/Instagram
