DHS uses 'South Park' image for recruitment ahead of ICE-themed episode
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday used imagery from "South Park," which had dedicated its season premiere to mocking President Trump, to encourage recruitment for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ahead of the show's next episode, which deals with Trump immigration enforcement.
On the social platform X, the DHS account posted an image of the show’s animation with several people loaded into a car labeled ICE. Several similar vehicles followed in the background, with one appearing to sound its siren.
All the characters in the ICE vehicles were depicted wearing masks covering the lower halves of their faces.
“JOIN.ICE.GOV,” the DHS wrote in the post, linking to the recruitment site.
The DHS post came shortly after "South Park" released a teaser for its next episode, featuring an animation of a woman closely resembling DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. That character is depicted pointing a gun in the air, wearing a “POLICE ICE” vest and posing in front of photographers.
Noem has previously faced criticism for calling in the media during ICE-related operations.
“‘Got A Nut’: When Mr. Mackay loses his job, he desperately tries to find a new way to make a living,” the "South Park" account posted on X, teasing the next episode, which is set to air Wednesday evening on Comedy Central and the next day on Paramount+.
In a subsequent statement to Newsweek, the DHS thanked the show for helping its recruitment efforts.
"We want to thank South Park for drawing attention to ICE law enforcement recruitment," a DHS spokesperson said in the statement.
"We are calling on patriotic Americans to help us remove murderers, gang members, pedophiles, and other violent criminals from our country. Benefits available to new ICE recruits include an up to $50,000 signing bonus, student loan forgiveness, and retirement benefits. Apply today at join.ice.gov,” the spokesperson continued.
"South Park’s" 27th season, which premiered two weeks ago, has targeted the White House and the president directly. In the debut episode this season, the show depicted Trump naked in bed with the devil and made fun of what the show depicted as small genitals.
The season premiere poked fun at Trump for targeting his enemies and mocked media conglomerate Paramount over its recent settlement with the president, which came ahead of its merger with Skydance that required the approval of Trump’s Federal Communications Commission.
The season premiered just days after the creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, reached a massive streaming deal with Paramount, valued at more than $1 billion.