The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in hot water once more, this time facing criticism from a Japanese artist who has publicly denounced the agency for utilizing his artwork without his approval to advocate for deportations.
On New Year's Eve, the DHS shared a striking image on X, showcasing a pristine beach lined with palm trees and featuring a vintage car. Across this picturesque scene were the words, "America after 100 million deportations," alongside a caption that read: "The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world."
In reaction to the DHS post, 78-year-old Hiroshi Nagai, a renowned Japanese graphic designer celebrated for his city pop and dreamscape styles, took to X to express his discontent, asking: "This image is being used without permission from the US Department of Homeland Security. What should I do about this?" (https://x.com/hiroshipj/status/2007024205272150219)
Nagai's artistic style is characterized by its depictions of 1950s Americana, often portraying scenes filled with lush palm trees, tranquil ocean vistas, and evening cityscapes—all typically devoid of human presence, inviting viewers to reflect on the beauty of urban landscapes from a distance.
The Guardian has sought comments from the DHS regarding this situation.
This incident marks yet another instance in a troubling trend where DHS has appropriated various artists' works to further its immigration agenda, frequently without securing permission from the creators. For example, last July, the department made headlines by sharing a piece by American artist Thomas Kinkade, known for his idyllic representations of American life. The DHS posted this image on X with the phrase, "Protect the homeland," highlighting Kinkade’s charming suburban landscape that included schoolchildren, vintage cars, and groups of people gathered around an American flag.
The Kinkade Family Foundation quickly responded, issuing a statement that condemned the DHS for using the painting without authorization. They stated: "The use of his artwork was unauthorized, and we have requested that DHS remove the post." Furthermore, they expressed their deep concern over the message conveyed by the post, emphasizing: "At The Kinkade Family Foundation, we strongly condemn the sentiment expressed in the post and the deplorable actions that DHS continues to carry out. Like many of you, we were deeply troubled to see this image used to promote division and xenophobia associated with the ideals of DHS, as this is antithetical to our mission."
The DHS has also faced backlash from prominent musicians for incorporating popular songs in their upbeat TikTok-style videos aimed at promoting deportation efforts. Last November, singer Olivia Rodrigo openly criticized the White House for using her song "all american bitch" in a video that encouraged undocumented immigrants to self-deport. She firmly stated, "Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda," addressing the agency directly. In response, the DHS defended itself by expressing gratitude towards federal law enforcement officers for their service, suggesting that Rodrigo should thank them rather than undermine their contributions.
A few weeks later, singer Sabrina Carpenter garnered attention after she vocally opposed the use of her song "Juno" in a deleted video that showcased Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials making arrests, presumably in Chicago
