The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing fresh criticism after a Japanese artist objected to his work being used without permission in a social media post promoting mass deportations.
On New Year's Eve, the agency posted on X an image of a pristine beach with palm trees and a vintage car, overlaid with the words "America after 100 million deportations" and a caption reading "The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world." Hiroshi Nagai, a 78-year-old graphic designer known for his dreamlike depictions of 1950s Americana, responded: "This image is being used without permission from the US department of homeland security. What should I do about this?"
Nagai's artwork often features lush palm trees, serene ocean scenes and empty urban landscapes, devoid of people. In response to the controversy, a DHS spokesperson said: "DHS will continue using every tool at its disposal to keep the American people informed as our agents work to Make America Safe Again."
The incident is the latest in a series of unauthorised uses of artists' work to promote the agency's immigration agenda. Last July, DHS shared a painting by Thomas Kinkade, the American artist known for idyllic scenes of American life, alongside the message "Protect the homeland." The Kinkade Family Foundation later condemned the use, calling it "unauthorized" and asking for the post to be removed, saying the imagery promoted "division and xenophobia" and was antithetical to their mission.
The department has also drawn criticism from musicians. Pop singer Olivia Rodrigo accused the White House of using her song "all-american bitch" in a video encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport, calling it "racist, hateful propaganda." Sabrina Carpenter similarly condemned the use of her song "Juno" in videos of immigration raids, describing them as "evil and disgusting." In response, DHS defended its officers, suggesting Rodrigo should "thank them for their service."
