A resurfaced clip captures Bernard Marks—an 87‑year‑old Auschwitz and Dachau survivor—standing toe‑to‑toe with then‑Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan, warning at a Sacramento forum that the administration’s aggressive deportation tactics echo the darkest chapters of history. Unilad’s feature has brought his words back into the spotlight.
Marks, who passed away in late 2018, donned a “Keep American Families Together” sticker and spoke at a town‑hall hosted by Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones. The Independent’s report notes he pointedly addressed Homan and the sheriff, reminding them he survived the Nazis “for no other reason but being Jewish.”
Reading from his notes, Marks recounted: “When I was a little boy in Poland, I was hauled off by the Nazis… my entire family was exterminated in Auschwitz.” According to Time’s coverage, his voice cracked as he declared, “History is not on your side.”
Moments later, he challenged Sheriff Jones: “You’re my sheriff—you weren’t elected to tear families apart in Washington, D.C. It’s time you side with the people here.” His plea was met with a standing ovation, as documented by CBS Sacramento’s coverage.
Watch this incredible 90-year-old Holocaust survivor call out ICE Director Tom Homan: “History is not on your side.” https://twitter.com/jonathanalter/status/1913087632831098990— Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter) April 18, 2025
For a play‑by‑play of Marks’ fearless address, the Washington Post video remains a haunting reminder of his conviction.
A 90-year-old survivor confronts Trump’s ICE boss—this is what courage looks like. https://twitter.com/Last_DayWithYou/status/1912973785952645123— Last Day With You (@Last_DayWithYou) April 17, 2025
Online, Marks’ words have reignited conversations about moral responsibility and local versus federal authority. Comments on Reddit praise his refusal to remain silent, while advocacy groups share the clip to remind today’s leaders of past atrocities. The Southern Poverty Law Center highlighted how his experience under totalitarianism gives him unique standing to challenge policies that separate families.
As deportation numbers surged in 2017, Marks’ confrontation offered a stark moral counterpoint. Today, with renewed debates over family separation at the border, his message continues to resonate among human‑rights advocates and community leaders seeking to balance enforcement with compassion.
Reflecting on Marks’ legacy, one Sacramento organizer told The Sacramento Bee: “His bravery reminds us that individual voices can hold power to question authority—and that empathy must guide policy.”
In classrooms and city councils alike, Bernard Marks’ words serve as a living testament to why history must inform the present—and why even the oldest survivor can become the youngest activist under the right circumstances.
