Immigration has all the time been the lifeblood of America, serving to to create a novel melting pot of tradition and historical past. Nonetheless, the struggle over who belongs, and who doesn’t, is as outdated because the nation itself.
Since his inauguration final month, President Donald Trump has been testing the bounds of his energy by way of a flurry of govt orders. He is working to ship on his marketing campaign promise to crack down on immigration by focusing on areas like birthright citizenship and refugee standing.
Deportations are ramping up, at the same time as border crossings are down. The administration goes as far as to make use of Guantanamo Bay — the navy base in Cuba — to deal with the inflow of arrested migrants.
ABC Information is on the bottom, throughout the nation — reporting on sweeping immigration modifications. Watch “Immigration Crackdown” tonight on a particular version of “Nightline.”
Correspondents from ABC Information deployed throughout the nation to see what impression the Trump administration’s crackdown is having throughout America.
Denver, Colorado
Final Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids started in an condominium constructing within the early morning hours. Working with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and FBI brokers, they knocked on doorways, stopped vehicles and took a number of folks into custody.
It was simply one in all a number of immigration enforcement operations occurring all through the Denver space that day.
A member of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stands prepared of motion in full tactical gear on Feb. 5, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.
RJ Sangosti/The Denver Submit by way of MediaNews Group by way of Getty Photographs
Regulation enforcement mentioned publicly that they have been focusing on probably the most harmful undocumented people. Nonetheless, folks ABC Information spoke with mentioned brokers went door to door, questioning residents at each unit — greater than 100 in complete — demanding identification and asking if medication have been inside.
Whereas large-scale operations like this will web arrests, residents mentioned going door to door created unreasonable panic and fear for everybody concerned.
Two federal legislation enforcement sources instructed ABC Information that the operation yielded the arrest of only one alleged gang member. The sources mentioned 29 folks have been additionally detained.
The southern border in Texas
The enforcement actions have additionally created pressure within the communities surrounding U.S. ports of entry alongside the southern border, particularly in Texas. These ports are the financial lifeblood of their areas, each by water and by land, however they’re additionally the place Border Patrol is targeted on stopping the circulate of each migrants and unlawful medication.
A drone picture taken on Feb. 3, 2025, in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez exhibits part of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Xinhua Information Company by way of Getty Photographs
On the port of entry in McAllen, greater than 700,000 vans of cargo — price greater than $50 billion — are scanned yearly. Border Patrol took ABC Information inside its warehouse, the place they examine all that cargo — stacks of vacuums, automotive elements and produce, on the lookout for unlawful shipments or medication.
Director Carlos Rodriguez highlighted the necessity for extra funding to pay for extra manpower and improved know-how.
“Simply final evening we had a cargo of jalapenos and cucumbers on the port of entry — it’s over 2,000 kilos of methamphetamine and heroin,” he instructed ABC Information.
Central Valley, California
The thought of reducing off all unlawful crossings is well-liked with some People, however different teams urge a cautious method on imposing the legislation in opposition to teams of undocumented staff who’re already right here. In California, roughly half of all farm staff are undocumented immigrants.
Roughly half of California’s farm staff are undocumented immigrants.
ABC Information
At a dairy farm in Tulare County, farmer Peter de Jong instructed ABC Information he helps Trump’s immigration crackdown. He mentioned he is eager for systemic reforms as a result of his farm depends closely on migrant labor and he wish to see a pathway to maintain them right here on this nation legally.
“We’ve inspired them to use for inexperienced playing cards and undergo the method, however it’s a really sluggish course of,” de Jong mentioned. “It is costly, too.”
Chicago, Illinois
The battle over immigration has additionally spilled into federal and state courtrooms, with the Trump administration submitting swimsuit in opposition to town of Chicago and state of Illinois, accusing them of obstructing federal immigration coverage. Illinois denies this accusation.
Chicago is a sanctuary metropolis, which signifies that it largely doesn’t disclose immigration standing to authorities or deny companies if a resident is undocumented.
Some residents instructed ABC Information they’re feeling the impression of the Trump administration’s crackdown. On town’s north facet, many migrants collect close to a busy purchasing space to search for work every day.
Lots of collect in La Villita Park to stage a pro-immigrant protest in opposition to deportations and Trump administration’s immigration insurance policies in Chicago, on Feb. 8, 2025.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu by way of Getty Photographs
One man from Colombia mentioned he has been within the U.S. for a yr and a half, and appears for no matter work is obtainable so he can help his household.
“Lots of people drive by and take a look at me like I’m a canine, like I’m a derelict of society,” he instructed ABC Information.
Passaic, New Jersey
Over the weekend, a whole bunch took to the streets of this immigrant-rich group to protest latest ICE raids and arrests, whereas additionally demanding statewide protections for immigrants. Organizers additionally handed out pamphlets so that they know their rights in the event that they’re approached by ICE.
“I feel there’s politicians who need to feed folks’s anger about their particular person conditions — and they also need to increase up some sort of opponent — somebody for everybody to hate,” protester and journalist Charlie Bagli instructed ABC Information.
“And they also put numerous hate into immigrants. Most of them are working their asses off and sending half their paycheck again residence.”
