US homeland security condemned for using Japanese artist's work without consent

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Fri 2 Jan 2026 14.10 EST
Last modified on Fri 2 Jan 2026 18.56 EST


The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing backlash once again, this time from a Japanese artist who has condemned the agency for using, without permission, his work to promote deportations. In a post on X on New Year’s Eve, the department posted 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.”

In response to the post, Hiroshi Nagai, a 78-year-old Japanese graphic designer known for his city pop and dreamscape artwork, said on X: “This image is being used without permission from the US department of homeland security. What should I do about this?”

Nagai is widely known for artwork inspired by 1950s Americana, often depicting lush palm trees, serene ocean scenes and dusky cityscapes. His pieces are typically devoid of people, instead presenting distant and contemplative views of urban landscapes. In a statement to 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.”

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.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/03/homeland-security-japanese-artist-permission

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Link to tweet

永井博 (Hiroshi Nagai)
@hiroshipj
·
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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💦
Homeland Security
@DHSgov
The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world.
Image
Readers added context
This post uses Hiroshi Nagai’s artwork without permission. Hiroshi Nagai himself has also posted that his illustrations are being used without authorization.

andrewjonesauctions.com/auction-lot/hi…
x.com/hiroshipj/stat…
4:40 AM · Jan 2, 2026

永井博 (Hiroshi Nagai)
@hiroshipj
·
Follow
The image is being used without permission by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 🐧💦
What should I do? 💦
Homeland Security
@DHSgov
The peace of a nation no longer besieged by the third world.
Image
Readers added context
This post uses Hiroshi Nagai’s artwork without permission. Hiroshi Nagai himself has also posted that his illustrations are being used without authorization.

andrewjonesauctions.com/auction-lot/hi…
x.com/hiroshipj/stat…
4:40 AM · Jan 2, 2026

[Norrrm]

1. There should be a law that if someone uses your image/intellectual property without your permission, then you can use th

There should be a law that if someone uses your image/intellectual property without your permission, then you can use theirs to promote any cause you wish.

Reciprocity.

[PatSeg]

2. Geez, they could have just used AI

to create an image. They didn't have to steal someone else's artwork. Awful people.