Homeland Security’s Viral Pokémon-Themed Immigration Video Takes the Internet by Storm
In a bold and unexpected social media move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has captured the internet’s attention with a viral Pokémon-themed video showcasing immigration arrests. The clip, which has amassed over 37 million views on X (formerly Twitter), features federal law enforcement officers apprehending suspects across America while the iconic Pokémon theme song plays in the background. “I will travel across the land, searching far and wide,” rings out as individuals are shown being placed in handcuffs, creating a jarring juxtaposition between childhood nostalgia and serious law enforcement activities. The video’s caption—”Gotta Catch ‘Em All”—directly references the Pokémon franchise’s famous slogan, transforming what would typically be standard arrest footage into content designed to go viral through its unexpected pop culture reference.
The most striking element of the video comes at its conclusion, where ICE’s “Worst of the Worst” detainees are displayed as mock Pokémon trading cards, complete with statistics and background information. Among those featured is Nery Garcia Linares, a 32-year-old Guatemalan national described as an alleged sexual predator who was apprehended by ICE Newark in mid-September. Another card showcases Moises Lopez-Zepeda, labeled as a 44-year-old “criminal alien” from Mexico who was arrested by ICE Houston around the same time. According to the DHS information provided on his card, Lopez-Zepeda had previously been “convicted of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle in Rockwall County, Texas, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.” Each card even includes a snowflake symbol, apparently representing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), designated as their “weakness”—a nod to the Pokémon game mechanics where creatures have specific vulnerabilities.
This unusual approach to presenting immigration enforcement has sparked widespread reactions across social media platforms. The video represents a significant departure from traditional government communication strategies, embracing internet culture and meme formats to highlight enforcement actions. By co-opting the beloved Pokémon franchise—a Japanese media property centered around collecting creatures and having them battle—DHS has created content that spreads rapidly through social networks, regardless of whether viewers approve or disapprove of the message or tactics. The stylistic choices raise questions about the appropriate tone for government agencies when communicating about serious matters like immigration enforcement and criminal apprehension, especially when using intellectual property and childhood nostalgia as vehicles for these messages.
The timing of this video comes amid heightened national attention on immigration enforcement policies. Recent months have seen increased focus on ICE operations in various communities across the United States, with social media already amplifying footage of arrests in places like Washington, D.C. By packaging these enforcement actions in a format designed to go viral, DHS appears to be attempting to control the narrative around immigration enforcement while simultaneously reaching audiences who might not typically engage with government communications. The strategy reflects a growing trend among government agencies to adopt social media tactics more commonly associated with brands and influencers, blurring the lines between serious policy implementation and entertainment.
Neither The Pokémon Company nor Nintendo had responded to requests for comment as of the report’s publication, raising questions about potential intellectual property concerns. The unauthorized use of the Pokémon theme song and card format for law enforcement messaging represents uncharted territory in terms of copyright and fair use when it comes to government communications. While parody and commentary enjoy certain protections under fair use doctrines, the application of these principles to government agencies using commercial properties to promote enforcement activities remains unclear. The silence from the Japanese companies that own the Pokémon franchise leaves open questions about how they view this appropriation of their family-friendly brand for content related to arrests and deportations.
The viral success of the video demonstrates the evolving landscape of government communications in the digital age, where attention and engagement often trump traditional notions of institutional formality. By adopting the language and aesthetics of internet culture, DHS has managed to bring significant visibility to its immigration enforcement operations, though not without controversy. This approach represents a new frontier in how government agencies present their work to the public—leveraging popular culture references and meme formats to make otherwise standard enforcement announcements more shareable and discussion-worthy. Whether this strategy marks a one-time experiment or the beginning of a new communication approach for federal agencies remains to be seen, but the unprecedented view count suggests that, at least in terms of pure reach, the unorthodox tactic has achieved its immediate goal of capturing public attention in ways traditional press releases never could.
