US Homeland Security Faces Backlash Over Pokémon-Themed Migrant Arrest Video

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a controversial video that equates immigration raids with the children’s game Pokémon, sparking widespread backlash online. The video splices footage of arrests with Pokémon-themed graphics, including mock trading cards listing alleged offenses of those apprehended, and uses the franchise's theme song and catchphrase "Gotta Catch ‘Em All." Critics have condemned the campaign as tone-deaf and ethically troubling, especially since some depicted raids involved U.S. citizens who were not shown warrants, raising legal concerns. Social media users questioned whether DHS had permission to use Pokémon's intellectual property, with Nintendo and Pokémon Co., known for fiercely defending their IP rights, likely to respond. The Trump administration's use of unlicensed intellectual property in official materials has drawn criticism before, and this instance has intensified debates about the appropriateness and legality of such usage. DHS's Customs and Border Protection also engaged with the campaign by posting a Pikachu GIF, further inflaming critics who view the video as trivializing serious immigration enforcement actions.