US Department of Homeland Security uses Pokemon theme song in deportation video

The company behind the popular Pokémon franchise has said that it objected to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using its characters, theme song, and slogan in a video promoting immigration raids, reported the BBC.

The video, which has been posted on DHS’ X account and the White House’s TikTok, shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people during raids.

The link to the popular franchise was undeniable as it showed the agents conducting their raids with clips intercut from the show accompanied by the well-known Pokémon theme song, "Gotta Catch 'Em All”.

“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” Pokémon Company International wrote in a statement to the BBC.

"Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property."

The video in question

Gotta Catch ‘Em All. pic.twitter.com/qCvflkJGmB

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 22, 2025

The video posted by DHS included the Pokémon opening theme song, with the repeated refrain "gotta catch 'em all”, playing while various ICE agents handcuffed and arrested people.

It was spliced in with clips from the show as well, mostly showing the protagonist Ash Ketchum throwing a Pokeball.

It finally ends with fake Pokémon cards featuring the mugshots of detainees and their alleged crimes ranging from murder, burglary, paedophilia to child endangerment.

ICE has been conducting widespread arrests as part of President Donald Trump’s migration initiative, which he has called the “largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America.”

The video currently has over 72 million views and 17,000 comments.

The X account of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has replied to the video with a GIF image of Pikachu and a caption that reads, “Border Patrol’s newest recruit”.

Border Patrol’s newest recruit. pic.twitter.com/KjGhBdsq7X

— CBP (@CBP) September 23, 2025

Response to the video

The internet’s response to the video has largely been outrage or bafflement.

Don McGowan, Pokémon's veteran ex-legal chief, has told IGN in an interview that legal action was highly unlikely as The Pokémon Company are known to be “INSANELY publicity-shy” and the fact that “many of their execs in the USA are on green cards”.

"Even if I was still at the company I wouldn't touch this," he said.

When The Japan Times reached out to the department, they did not address the video but instead only replied with a one-line comment:

"To arrest them is our real test. To deport them is our cause."

This references a line from the Pokémon theme song, “To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause”, which references the main character’s mission to catch and train the Pokémon he encounters.

This is not the first time the DHS account has used provocative imagery and videos that are inspired by popular culture and media.

It had used JAY-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” in a recruitment video, which was taken down, and even audio from 2022’s “The Batman”.

As of now, however, the Pokémon video still remains online.

Top images via Unsplash, DHSgov/X