The Department of Homeland Security has sparked a Pokémon backlash after using the kids’ game to promote ICE deportation raids.
The DHS social media team posted a video to X on Monday of dramatic immigration raids—including one that was bungled yet still posted online by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—spliced with animé imagery from the popular Japanese cartoon and collectibles game, which is part owned by Nintendo.
A still from the DHS video, which uses the same graphics as the popular children’s cartoon. DHS
Set to the official Pokémon theme tune, it was a clear imitation of the show’s opening sequence.
DHS also shared five mocked-up Pokémon “cards” featuring some of the men the department has arrested and deported, which it describes as the “worst of the worst,” with their alleged crimes—including child molestation and homicide—emblazoned across them.
One of the DHS Pokemon “cards,” complete with a bio of the man’s offenses. DHS
The post was captioned “Gotta Catch ’Em All.”
All the cards listed the men’s “weaknesses” as the “ice” emoji, and said their “retreat” was an airplane, in another riff on the Pokémon card game.
DHS
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also got involved, replying with a gif of Pokémon character Pikachu dancing, joking it was “Border Patrol’s newest recruit.”
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