In the days leading up to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the United States State Department's antisemitism envoy and the national Holocaust museum publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for comparing the plight of undocumented migrants to Anne Frank's experience during the Holocaust. Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, nominated by President Trump, stated that 'Anne Frank was in Amsterdam legally and abided by Dutch law,' arguing that her story should not be used to draw parallels with current immigration enforcement. The Holocaust museum echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Anne Frank was targeted solely for being Jewish and warning against political exploitation of her story.

The controversy has reignited debate over the appropriateness of Holocaust analogies in discussions about immigration policy, with Jewish leaders and historians weighing in on both sides. Some historians challenged Kaploun's characterization, noting that the Frank family defied Nazi orders and became illegal residents. Meanwhile, tensions over federal immigration raids in Minnesota continue to escalate, with officials facing mounting criticism and legal scrutiny. The episode highlights ongoing divisions over how historical tragedies are invoked in contemporary political discourse.