The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is once again under fire, this time for using the artwork of a Japanese artist without his consent to advance its controversial deportation agenda. On New Year's Eve, DHS shared an image on X that depicted a beautiful, tranquil beach scene adorned with palm trees and a classic car. The text overlay claimed, "America after 100 million deportations," accompanied by a caption that read, "The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world." This provocative message sparked outrage.
In reaction to this, Hiroshi Nagai, a 78-year-old graphic designer celebrated for his dreamy city pop artwork, took to X to express his discontent. He stated, "This image is being used without permission from the US Department of Homeland Security. What should I do about this?" Nagai is renowned for his depictions of 1950s Americana, characterized by lush landscapes and serene coastal views, often presented in a way that evokes nostalgia and contemplation, typically void of people.
The Guardian has reached out to DHS for further comments regarding this incident.
This incident is not an isolated one; it reflects a pattern where DHS has utilized works from various artists to promote its immigration policies, frequently without obtaining the necessary permissions. For instance, in July of the previous year, DHS shared a painting by American artist Thomas Kinkade, famous for his idyllic portrayals of American life. The agency's post featured a vibrant suburban landscape, emphasizing community and family, while carrying the message, "Protect the homeland." In response, the Kinkade Family Foundation publicly condemned this unauthorized usage, asserting, "The use of his artwork was unauthorized, and we have requested that DHS remove the post." They further expressed their disapproval of the sentiments conveyed in DHS’s post, which they believed contradicted their mission of promoting unity rather than division.
Moreover, DHS has also faced criticism from popular musicians for co-opting their songs to bolster its deportation efforts, often presented in upbeat, TikTok-style videos. In November, singer Olivia Rodrigo publicly rebuked the White House for using her song "all american bitch" in a clip urging undocumented immigrants to self-deport. She firmly stated, "Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda." In retort, DHS insisted that Americans should appreciate
