The Unusual Promotion of Immigration Agency by the US Department of Homeland Security
In a rather peculiar move, the United States Department of Homeland Security has found a unique way to promote the work of its immigration agency, ICE: by featuring Ash Ketchum and the famous “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan in an official video. Among scenes of detentions and operations, footage of the Pokémon hero throwing Poké Balls is shown, as if he were “catching” people.
Controversy and Legal Response
The video showcases detentions and enforcement operations, interspersed with sequences from the Pokémon animation showing Ash throwing Poké Balls. Additionally, there are mock-ups of Pokémon cards featuring photos of the detained individuals, along with a list of their crimes and their “weaknesses”.
On social media, the reaction was immediate: many people urged the Pokémon Company to take legal action against the US government for using the brand and characters in this manner. However, Don McGowan, former legal counsel for The Pokémon Company, told IGN that, in his opinion, legal action would not be pursued for various reasons, including the company’s tendency to avoid public exposure and litigation, as well as his own reluctance to engage with the issue if he were still in his position.
As of now, the video remains active and continues to be shared by the official DHS account. It remains unclear whether the Pokémon Company (or its affiliated entities) will issue an official statement or take formal legal action.
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