The Pokémon Company International said it was “not involved” in the creation of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid video, adding it did not give the agency permission to use its intellectual property.
“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” the Pokémon Company International said in a statement to The Hill on Thursday.
“Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property,” the company added.
The ICE raid video, which utilizes the “Pokémon” theme song and footage, was posted by DHS on Monday and was titled “Gotta Catch ‘Em All.”
The minute-long video shows ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents detaining migrants across the country. The video features clips from the opening credits of the “Pokémon” show with main character Ash Ketchum.
Toward the end of the video, DHS listed fake Pokémon trading cards with mugshots of migrants law enforcement has detained for various alleged crimes, including murder, manslaughter, child endangerment and others.
DHS appeared to remove a video this week that featured Theo Von, after the comedian and podcaster objected to being included in the footage without his consent.
The clip showed ICE agents arresting migrants who are in the country illegally. Von pushed back, arguing his position on immigration is more sophisticated.
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this. I know you know my address so send a check. And please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos,” Von wrote Tuesday night on social platform X.
“When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows,” he added.
