The scene
Over the past two years, immigration enforcement has become one of the most prominent law enforcement activities in the United States. Beginning in 2025, the federal government significantly expanded the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through increased workplace raids, targeted enforcement operations, arrests, detention, and deportation efforts, while also increasing coordination with state and local law enforcement in some jurisdictions. Enforcement activity has extended beyond the U.S.–Mexico border into cities and communities nationwide, prompting protests, legal challenges, and heightened public awareness of the use of tactical operations, detention practices, and officer accountability.
The increased visibility and pace of immigration enforcement have made immigration-related operations a frequent focus of journalists, requiring careful planning around physical safety, legal considerations, interactions with law enforcement, and the emotional impact of covering families and communities affected by raids and deportations.
The Scene
