Fox News segment links ICE to Nazis in Anne Frank comparison, fueling immigration-debate backlash

A Fox News radio segment sparked criticism Friday after a host compared U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to Nazis who abducted Anne Frank, describing modern “Anita Francos” living in fear. The remarks occurred amid a broader national debate over immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose administration has stepped up deportation efforts targeting irregular migrants and those with criminal records.

The discussion touched on the tactics and rhetoric surrounding ICE, including how agents have sometimes worn masks to shield themselves from harassment and doxxing by activists who liken enforcement to Nazi-era police. Critics say the comparison dehumanizes migrants and inflames tensions, while supporters argue that strict enforcement is essential to border security. The remarks drew immediate pushback from advocacy groups and some lawmakers, who warned that such language can normalize violence and undermine safe, humane policies.

Separately, MSNBC’s The Weekend featured a discussion about the psychological toll of immigration policy on Black and Latino communities. Co-host Eugene Daniels turned to Maria Hinojosa, founder of Futuro Media, to ask about the toll on families and neighborhoods seen as most affected by federal guidelines and city-level enforcement.

"I posted, actually, right after that first day on the ground in Chicago, I posted about the fact that there are little Anne Franks, right? Anne Frank, in Chicago, her name is Anita Franco, and she is terrified," Hinojosa said. "She is invisible. And she is Mexican." The remark was part of a broader reflection on how policy actions ripple through daily life, from school routines to street life, and how communities interpret and respond to the fear that accompanies enforcement.

Hinojosa described the trauma she has witnessed in Black and Latino neighborhoods and argued that political dynamics reverberate in urban settings. She stressed that Black and Latino unity in Chicago could strengthen as a result of perceived political threats, a point she linked to the orientation of national leadership and to how residents imagine their safety and belonging in the city.

"Black and Latino unity in the city of Chicago will only grow thanks to Donald Trump and his Republican Party," she said, adding that such unity is something policymakers have long feared when communities organize across racial lines. "Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and we do not like outsiders coming to tell us how to run our city," she added, underscoring a sense of local sovereignty and distrust of top-down approaches to governance.

The discussion occurred as immigration policy remains a flashpoint in U.S. politics. President Trump’s administration has pursued deportations more aggressively, arguing for stronger border controls and enforcement measures. In response, some lawmakers and activists have accused federal agencies of using aggressive tactics that target communities of color and create an atmosphere of fear that extends beyond individuals with legal status.

Meanwhile, imagery tied to the topic has circulated in media coverage and demonstrations around the country. A photo from a Sept. 6, 2025, protest in Chicago shows demonstrators marching past the Chicago Theater in opposition to immigration policies. The image underscores how public demonstrations and media discussions intersect in shaping public perception of policy and its human impact.

The episode illustrates the current political climate around immigration policy, where media framing, personal narratives, and shifts in enforcement practices all feed into a broader national conversation about safety, identity, and civic belonging. As lawmakers debate proposals and voters weigh options, observers say the rhetoric surrounding migrants and enforcement often intensifies the sense of crisis felt in communities most directly affected by policy decisions.