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Caught in the Crackdown

Premieres April 14, 2026

Tracing the violence, protests and arrests stemming from federal immigration sweeps across the United States

Caught in the Crackdown

FRONTLINE and ProPublica trace the violence, protests and arrests stemming from federal immigration sweeps across the United States. The documentary examines the tactics, legal cases and impact — from Los Angeles to Chicago to Minneapolis.

Directed by

Gabrielle Schonder

Produced by

Gabrielle Schonder
A.C. Thompson

Written by

Gabrielle Schonder
A.C. Thompson

Correspondent

A.C. Thompson

In partnership with:

https://www.propublica.org/

Journalistic Standards

Immigration
U.S. Politics

Support provided by:

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Correspondent A.C. Thompson stands in the foreground wearing a bulletproof vest that says "press" on it, while federal agents stand in the background.

Caught in the Crackdown

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A group of agents wearing camouflage, helmets and gas masks face a group of protesters in plain clothes. One of the agents is holding a gun-like weapon and is pointing it toward the surrounding protesters.
Article
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear gas. Protestors trapped, struggling to breathe
November 25, 2025
A door seen at the end of a dimly-lit hallway is boarded up and has the number "120" spray-painted on it.
Article
‘I Lost Everything’: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone
November 13, 2025
Status: Venezuelan
Documentary
Status: Venezuelan
The story of one Venezuelan family in Florida trying to stay together — and stay in the U.S. legally
December 9, 2025

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A group of agents wearing camouflage, helmets and gas masks face a group of protesters in plain clothes. One of the agents is holding a gun-like weapon and is pointing it toward the surrounding protesters.
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear gas. Protestors trapped, struggling to breathe
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A woman with dark hair in a maroon sweatshirt stares up to the left amid trees with golden leaves.
What the Trump Administration’s Videos From a Chicago Immigration Raid Don’t Show
Detained and deported Venezuelans tell their stories of what happened when immigration agents raided their apartment building
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A door seen at the end of a dimly-lit hallway is boarded up and has the number "120" spray-painted on it.
‘I Lost Everything’: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone
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Status: Venezuelan
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The story of one Venezuelan family in Florida trying to stay together — and stay in the U.S. legally
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A man in a red shirt leans his forehead against the forehead of an older woman, holding her head in his hands.
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A group of agents wearing camouflage, helmets and gas masks face a group of protesters in plain clothes. One of the agents is holding a gun-like weapon and is pointing it toward the surrounding protesters.
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear gas. Protestors trapped, struggling to breathe
November 25, 2025
A woman with dark hair in a maroon sweatshirt stares up to the left amid trees with golden leaves.
What the Trump Administration’s Videos From a Chicago Immigration Raid Don’t Show
Detained and deported Venezuelans tell their stories of what happened when immigration agents raided their apartment building
November 17, 2025
A door seen at the end of a dimly-lit hallway is boarded up and has the number "120" spray-painted on it.
‘I Lost Everything’: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone
November 13, 2025
Status: Venezuelan
Status: Venezuelan
The story of one Venezuelan family in Florida trying to stay together — and stay in the U.S. legally
December 9, 2025
A man in a red shirt leans his forehead against the forehead of an older woman, holding her head in his hands.
Surviving CECOT
The story of three Venezuelan men branded as gang members and deported to CECOT
December 9, 2025

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