‘Gotta catch ’em all’: DHS goes viral with Pokémon-themed immigration arrest video-Watch

Image X@/DHSgov

A Pokémon-themed video released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), highlighting arrests of immigrants they deemed to be illegal, has gone viral, amassing over 40 million views on X by Tuesday.Posted with the caption “Gotta Catch ’Em All” on Monday, the clip mixes footage of federal law enforcement making arrests on US soil with scenes from the animated series’ opening sequence, set to the show’s theme song.“I will travel across the land, searching far and wide,” the video’s voiceover sings as footage shows men being handcuffed. The video concludes with Pokémon-style cards displaying the mugshots of individuals arrested by immigration agents. One mock trading card, created by DHS, features Lorenzo Menendez-Gonzalez alongside the Cuban flag, noting his conviction for homicide in Austin, Texas, and a 25-year prison sentence. Another card highlights Moises Lopez-Zepeda with the Mexican flag in the background, indicating his conviction for intoxicated manslaughter in Rockwall County, Texas, and a 12-year prison term.Social media users have raised concerns that DHS’s use of Pokémon’s slogan, theme song, and trading card visuals could constitute copyright infringement. Many questioned whether a federal agency can legally repurpose a popular entertainment brand for its messaging.“@/NintendoAmerica please use your suing power for good, just this once,” commented a user. “Please tell me my tax dollars aren’t going to graphic designers to make Pokémon-themed ICE propaganda,” said another. “I can’t believe this was actually posted by a government agency,” read another comment. This comes as the Trump administration is implementing plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocated over $140 billion for border walls, enhanced security measures, additional detention beds, and the recruitment of thousands of new ICE and Border Patrol agents.More than 139,000 individuals have already been deported, with some sent to foreign prisons such as El Salvador’s CECOT, after being classified as gang-affiliated under the Alien Enemies Act, as cited by Fox News.