# How a World War I Crackdown Predicted ICE > Graphic novel reveals 1916 U.S. crackdown parallels modern immigration policies. - Title: How a World War I Crackdown Predicted ICE · Foreign Policy - Summary: Graphic novel reveals 1916 U.S. crackdown parallels modern immigration policies. Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel shows 1916 U.S. - Keywords: derf backderf, the dissidents, the masses, liberator, woodrow wilson, sedition act, espionage act, american protective league, immigration and customs enforcement, homeland security investigations, customs and border patrol, kent state - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/11/06/dissidents-backderf-cartoonists-ice - Author: Sam Thielman - Read time: 1 min - Topics: derf backderf, the dissidents, the masses, liberator, woodrow wilson, sedition act, espionage act, american protective league, immigration and customs enforcement, homeland security investigations, customs and border patrol, kent state ## Graphic novel sets historical parallel Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel The Dissidents shows 1916 U.S. government crackdowns on dissent mirror modern immigration enforcement tactics. > The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! And Cartoonists! ## 1916 U.S. government crackdowns The U.S. government under Woodrow Wilson prosecuted dissenting speech as treason and threatened opponents with deportation. > The U.S. government under Woodrow Wilson prosecuted dissenting speech as treason and threatened opponents with deportation ## The Masses magazine The Masses was a Greenwich Village magazine publishing cartoons, poetry, political essays and interviews with Lenin. > The Masses was a Greenwich Village magazine publishing cartoons, poetry, political essays and interviews with Lenin ## The Masses shut down The Masses shut down after the Espionage Act of 1917 due to U.S. Postal Service refusing delivery. > The Masses shut down after the Espionage Act of 1917 due to U.S. Postal Service refusing delivery ## The Liberator magazine The Liberator continued The Masses' mission with milder tone after 1917. > The Liberator continued The Masses' mission with milder tone after 1917 ## Woodrow Wilson's policies Wilson signed Sedition Act of 1918 and Espionage Act while expanding government office segregation. > Wilson signed Sedition Act of 1918 and Espionage Act while expanding government office segregation ## Bureau of Cartoons Wilson created Bureau of Cartoons to censor editorial cartoonists under Espionage Act. > Wilson created Bureau of Cartoons to censor editorial cartoonists under Espionage Act ## American Protective League Wilson approved American Protective League to conduct draft card checks and arrests. > Wilson approved American Protective League to conduct draft card checks and arrests ## Art Young's activism Art Young drew scathing critiques of capitalism and was charged under Espionage Act. > Art Young drew scathing critiques of capitalism and was charged under Espionage Act ## Robert Minor's imprisonment Robert Minor was imprisoned abroad for organizing French railway workers to strike. > Robert Minor was imprisoned abroad for organizing French railway workers to strike ## Maurice Becker's arrest Maurice Becker was arrested as conscientious objector and tortured at Fort Leavenworth. > Maurice Becker was arrested as conscientious objector and tortured at Fort Leavenworth ## Wall Street Journal editorial Wall Street Journal editorial claimed militant pacifists lacked urgency for hemp or lamp-posts. > Wall Street Journal editorial claimed militant pacifists lacked urgency for hemp or lamp-posts ## Modern parallels 2024 Republican National Convention signs urged mass deportation now. > 2024 Republican National Convention signs urged mass deportation now ## Emma Goldman's deportation Emma Goldman was deported after 1917 due to radical activism. > Emma Goldman was deported after 1917 due to radical activism ## Historical context The Dissidents shows how artistic expression changed under wartime pressures. > The Dissidents shows how artistic expression changed under wartime pressures ## Conclusion The Dissidents reveals historical patterns of government crackdowns that persist today. > The Dissidents reveals historical patterns of government crackdowns that persist today ## Key takeaway Derf Backderf's 2026 graphic novel shows 1916 U.S. government crackdowns on dissent mirror current immigration enforcement tactics.