Graphic novel links World War I crackdowns to modern ICE
Graphic novel links WWI-era government crackdowns to modern immigration enforcement tactics.
Black-and-white comic book panel depicting police officers and men in an altercation flanking a central campaign poster that reads "Vote for Wilson: He kept us out of the war." (Photo via Foreign Policy)
A recently published review in Foreign Policy examines a new graphic novel that draws parallels between government enforcement actions during the World War I era and the contemporary operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
4, 2026, suggests that the mechanisms and ideologies currently utilized in immigration enforcement have historical roots in the early 20th century. The work utilizes historical documentation to argue that past government crackdowns serve as a precursor to current practices.
Visual elements in the book include a black-and-white comic panel depicting an altercation between police officers and civilians. This scene is presented alongside a campaign poster for President Woodrow Wilson that features the slogan, 'Vote for Wilson: He kept us out of the war.'
While the review highlights these thematic connections, specific details regarding the title of the graphic novel, its author, and the precise historical dates of the events depicted remain unconfirmed.