The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sparked controversy after posting a social media video showing migrant arrests set to a song by country artist Zach Bryan. The video, which used his hit “Revival,” appeared shortly after Bryan shared a snippet of his upcoming track “Bad News”, a song criticizing ICE raids under the Trump administration.
The post, which featured Border Patrol and ICE agents conducting raids and detaining migrants, was captioned “We’re Having an All Night Revival.” Many saw the use of the song as a jab at Bryan, who had just released politically charged lyrics about immigration enforcement.
The singer’s teaser track includes emotional lines such as: “ICE is gonna come, bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more.” These lyrics drew both praise and anger, placing Bryan in the middle of a heated national debate about the role of music in politics and immigration policy.
In response, the White House and DHS officials issued sharp remarks. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissed the singer’s criticism with a jab referencing another of his songs: “Stick to Pink Skies, dude.” Meanwhile, a White House aide accused Bryan of supporting “criminal illegal aliens” and claimed most Americans stood behind the administration’s enforcement stance.
Bryan, a U.S. Navy veteran and Grammy Award winner, fired back on Instagram, clarifying that his song was meant to unite Americans, not divide them. “This song is about how much I love this country and everyone in it,” he wrote. “It’s about how divided we’ve become — and how much we need to find our way back.”
The controversy is part of a growing trend of government agencies using pop culture and internet memes in immigration messaging. Earlier this year, DHS faced criticism for comparing migrant arrests to catching Pokémon, using the slogan “Gotta Catch ’Em All.” Similarly, British pop singer Jess Glynne condemned the unauthorized use of her song “Hold My Hand” in a White House post promoting deportations, calling it “disgusting.”
The timing of the DHS video comes as immigration enforcement has intensified across several U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. Critics have accused the agency of using cultural references to normalize aggressive deportation tactics.
While Bryan’s full track “Bad News” has yet to be released, it has already ignited strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Supporters see it as a brave reflection on America’s identity and divisions, while detractors accuse the artist of undermining law enforcement.
As the controversy continues, one question lingers: Should government agencies use popular music to promote immigration enforcement? The debate over Zach Bryan’s song highlights how deeply intertwined culture, politics, and national identity have become in America today.