The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has found itself at the center of controversy after posting a video that likens the process of apprehending undocumented migrants to catching Pokémon.
The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), has sparked a wave of criticism and legal questions.
Many are questioning the ethics behind using the Pokémon brand for government messaging.
Pokémon-Inspired DHS Video: ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’
The video, which is set to the iconic Pokémon theme song, was captioned "Gotta Catch ‘Em All," a slogan widely associated with the animated series.
The clip juxtaposes images of immigration raids and arrests with footage from the Pokémon anime, even incorporating elements of the franchise’s collectible trading cards.
The video ends with mock-up Pokémon cards displaying the mugshots of individuals arrested by immigration agents, with details about their alleged crimes, such as homicide, manslaughter, and child endangerment.
Each card features the individual’s nationality flag and lists their alleged crime, with the term "illegal" prominently displayed alongside their "weakness" symbol, which is a subtle nod to the Pokémon universe.
DHS’s Depiction of Immigrants: Legal and Ethical Concerns
While the video was intended to highlight DHS’s efforts to remove undocumented immigrants, it has ignited a debate over the portrayal of migrants and the ethics of using a children’s entertainment brand to promote government policy.
Critics have expressed outrage over the lighthearted tone of the video, especially given the serious nature of the issues involved.
One particular point of contention is the use of Pokémon’s intellectual property (IP) in a federal government video.
Pokémon, a franchise jointly owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, is known for its family-friendly content.
The video’s use of the Pokémon theme song, the iconic "Gotta Catch 'Em All" slogan, and the Pokémon card design has raised questions about copyright infringement.
People on social media have encouraged the Pokémon company to sue the government, with one person writing: "Hey @Pokemon please sue the hell out of the government."
A second person tagged the Pokémon account and wrote: "You guys cool with them using your IP for this?"
Copyright Infringement: Will Nintendo Take Action?
Given that Pokémon is owned by some of the most prominent names in the entertainment industry, it’s a fair question whether these companies will take action against DHS for using their IP without permission, per Metro.
Nintendo, in particular, has a reputation for being aggressive in protecting its intellectual property.
The company has famously pursued legal action against pirates, winning significant lawsuits such as the one against Switch modder Ryan Daley, who was forced to pay $2 million in damages.
In the same week, Nintendo successfully sued accessory manufacturer Genki for trademark infringement related to mocked-up Switch 2 consoles, resulting in a ban on the use of any Nintendo logos or design elements by the company.
With DHS using the Pokémon brand in a way that some may view as highly controversial, it’s unclear whether Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures will take similar steps to defend their IP, especially given the video’s connection to a federal agency involved in a contentious political issue.