US homeland security faces backlash for using Japanese artist's work to promote deportation without consent

The US Department of Homeland Security is facing major backlash after a Japanese artist condemned the agency for using his work to promote deportations, without his permission. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the department shared a photo featuring a pristine and empty beach with palm trees and a vintage car.

Written across the photo was “America after 100 million deportations,” along with a separate caption that said: “The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world.” The Department shared the post on New Year’s Eve. In response to this, Hiroshi Nagai, a 78-year-old Japanese graphic designer known for his city pop and dreamscape artwork, said that his work was being used without his consent.

“This image is being used without permission from the US Department of Homeland Security. What should I do about this?” Nagai wrote in a separate post on X. The Japanese artist is widely known for his artwork inspired by 1950s Americana. It often depicts lush palm trees, serene ocean scenes and dusky cityscapes.

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アメリカ国土安全保障省に許可なく絵が使われています🐧💦
どうしたものか💦 https://t.co/t7GEtGTD3v

— 永井博(Hiroshi Nagai) (@hiroshipj) January 2, 2026

His pieces usually do not feature people, instead presenting distant and contemplative views of urban landscapes. In a statement on the Guardian, 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.”

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Not the first time

The use of Nagai’s work is the latest in a series of incidents in which the department has used various artists’ works to promote its immigration agenda, often without consent. In July last year, the department shared a painting by Thomas Kinkade, an American artist known for his idyllic depictions of American life.

The DHS shared the image on X with the message: “Protect the homeland”, highlighting Kinkade’s mid-century suburban landscape, complete with schoolchildren, vintage cars, and people gathered around an American flag.

In response to the post, the Kinkade Family Foundation issued a statement condemning the use of the painting, saying: “The use of his artwork was unauthorised, and we have requested that DHS remove the post.”

“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 statement further read.

The agency has also been receiving backlash from pop stars for using popular songs to promote deportation efforts in upbeat TikTok-style videos. In November, Olivia Rodrigo criticised the White House for using her song all-american bitch in a video encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport.

“Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” the 22-year-old Filipino American singer wrote. In response to Rodrigo’s complaint, the department said, “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”

A few weeks later, singer Sabrina Carpenter condemned the White House for using her song Juno to promote videos of immigration raids on X. Responding to the now-deleted video, which featured several Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials arresting people in what appeared to be Chicago, Carpenter wrote: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music in your inhumane agenda.”