1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

MAGA and Immigration - In the Shadow of Trump's Border

October 10, 2025

For centuries, the United States was considered a nation of immigrants. President Trump has changed that with a brutal crackdown on immigration.

MAGA and Immigration - In the Shadow of Trump's Border
Image: Autentic

But with opposition growing, arguments about how to define American identity are on the rise, once more.

Image: Autentic

Since 2025, the US government has been taking a tougher stance on immigration. The US Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement, or ICE, is raiding homes, businesses, and previously protected areas, like churches, schools and hospitals. It’s one of the major flashpoints in US politics right now. But criticism of Trump’s immigration policies is growing. What does the future hold?

Image: Autentic

The effects of US immigration policy shifts are most visible along the southern border. In this edition of Close Up, we head to rural Arizona and meet Wendy, whose asylum status is in jeopardy,

Image: Autentic

Isabel, an activist advocating for immigrants, Michael, a karate instructor and DJ who supports the president’s approach—then finally José, a son of immigrants and a proud MAGA fan and US citizen. 

MichaelImage: Autentic

The film explores both the US’s struggle for a new identity and the increasing polarization taking hold of the country.

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

MON 13.10.2025 – 18:30 UTC
MON 13.10.2025 – 23:30 UTC
TUE 14.10.2025 – 03:30 UTC
TUE 14.10.2025 – 09:15 UTC
TUE 14.10.2025 – 12:15 UTC
TUE 14.10.2025 – 16:15 UTC
TUE 14.10.2025 – 21:15 UTC
WED 15.10.2025 – 07:30 UTC
WED 15.10.2025 – 10:30 UTC
WED 15.10.2025 – 17:30 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW