The federal government’s ‘new’ slogan reveals its vision for immigration policy

Not long ago, quoting the Ku Klux Klan would’ve been a career-ending scandal for any politician. But now, it’s a recruitment strategy for the federal government.

In October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared three posts on social media containing the phrase “America for Americans.” To those unaware of the history of this slogan, its usage may seem innocuous. But this slogan has a shameful history: it was used as a rallying cry by the infamous Know-Nothing Party and was later adopted by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 1920s.

The slogan was used as part of DHS’ efforts to recruit ICE agents. In one of the posts, the slogan accompanied an all-caps message saying that “EVERY CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIEN MUST GO.” It’s true that actual criminals should be deported— but wh