General Discussion

KPBS Public Media:

Experts concerned about white nationalist imagery in ICE recruitment materials


x.com/ICEgov/status/1953474611808448917

Some of the images look like World War II recruiting posters. Uncle Sam asking you to defend the homeland.

Others reference a glorified version of the past. White settlers traveling across the plains toward their Manifest Destiny as Native Americans retreat to the shadows.



https://www.kpbs.org/news/border-immigration/2025/09/22/experts-concerned-about-white-nationalist-imagery-in-ice-recruitment-materials


Southern Poverty Law Center:

The increase in white nationalist content appears to originate with a June 11 post. That day, DHS’ official X and Instagram accounts posted a graphic of Uncle Sam hammering up a sign with the caption: “Help your country … and yourself … REPORT ALL FOREIGN INVADERS.” A hotline number for ICE accompanied the post. Mother Jones reported the doctored graphic of Uncle Sam originated from an X user called “Mr. Robert,” who is associated with white nationalist content. Mr. Robert’s bio highlights the phrase: “Wake Up White Man.” Mother Jones reported on other white nationalist content associated with the account, which included racial slurs and reposting neo-Nazi users. Mr. Robert applauded the use of their graphic, posting, “TODAY OUR EFFORTS ARE COMING OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE!” A DHS spokesperson dismissed Mother Jones’ assertions about where the graphic came from.

DHS has since continued to post a barrage of graphics, ranging from overt nationalist and antisemitic imagery to coded racist dog whistles about the supposed loss of white American culture, in attempts to recruit people to join ICE. In one recruitment poster, published on Aug. 11, a white Uncle Sam caricature in the style of a Norman Rockwell painting stands at a crossroads of directional signs that include such phrases as “INVASION,” “CULTURAL DECLINE,” “HOMELAND” and “LAW & ORDER.”

The poster includes the caption “Which way, American man?” — which appears to be a nod to the influential white nationalist text Which Way Western Man? by William Gayley Simpson. Published by an imprint associated with the neo-Nazi National Alliance, the book is a reflection and critique of society from Simpson’s travels. While critical of some aspects of society, it largely frames Western civilization as superior and veers into sexist and antisemitic commentary.

Another poster DHS published on its website and social media accounts features the iconic Uncle Sam “I Want You” U.S. Army recruitment image accompanied by the phrase: “America has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need YOU to get them out.” DHS is also circulating a similar poster using the same “I Want You” Uncle Sam imagery calling to “DEFEND THE HOMELAND.”


Social card on X for ICE recruitment.This recruiting image posted to the Department of Homeland Security’s X account in August 2025 features a father and son holding assault rifles and wearing body armor. (Screenshot from X)

A poster published on Aug. 6 features two white men, one older and one younger, with the caption: “We’re taking father/son bonding to a whole new level.” The two men appear in front of an American flag backdrop, wearing military-style garb and body armor while holding assault rifles. The men have no visual identifiers affiliating them with any government agency. Instead, they look like they could be mercenaries or members of an extremist antigovernment militia. The ICE poster raises questions about what sort of people, from what ideological backgrounds, the agency is targeting for recruitment.

Lindsay Schubiner, director of programs at the Western States Center, a social justice group, told Hatewatch, “They [DHS’ social media posts] are not only intended to recruit staff but to normalize the dehumanization of immigrants. At the same time, bigotry and dehumanization wrapped in the American flag conditions Americans to accept the heightened horrors and blatant disregard of civil rights that ICE is inflicting upon our communities.”

https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/dhs-white-nationalist-anti-immigrant-social-media/



“Want to deport illegals with your absolute boys?” asks this recruiting graphic the Department of Homeland Security posted in August 2025. (Screenshot from X)