Protesters, Bystanders Arrested | Caught in the Crackdown (documentary) | FRONTLINE + ProPublica

The video opens with the breaking news of Renee Good's shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Good, an activist opposing immigration sweeps, was killed after federal officers claimed she 'weaponized her vehicle.' Eyewitnesses and video evidence later contradicted the official account, and her death sparked widespread protests and scrutiny of the Trump administration's enforcement tactics. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bavino, leading the operation, defended the officer's actions.

The film traces the roots of the crackdown to Greg Bavino's leadership in a little-known operation in Bakersfield, California, called 'Return to Sender.' This operation, described as targeting 'criminals,' largely involved agents stopping individuals who 'looked Latino' without prior knowledge of their criminal or immigration history. Bavino envisioned Border Patrol operating deeply within cities, not just at the border, a strategy he openly declared would be 'game on' for aggressive enforcement against 'illegal aliens' and 'transnational criminal threats.'

Five months after 'Return to Sender,' Bavino was deployed to Los Angeles as federal agents swept up dozens daily. Protests escalated, with agents using tear gas and crowd-control weapons. The administration mobilized the National Guard, portraying protesters as 'left-wing radicals.' The arrest of Marine Corps veteran Alejandro Oriana, accused of 'conspiracy' for distributing masks and water to protesters, became a focal point. Charges against Oriana were later dropped, with prosecutors reportedly recognizing the case's weakness, suggesting it was part of a tactic to 'terrify people' and deter protests.

The crackdown then moved to Chicago with 'Operation Midway Blitz.' Bavino, now 'commander at large' for immigration operations, continued to face fierce resistance. During a protest in Broad View, Illinois, Bavino himself was seen directing agents to arrest protesters. Cole Sheridan, an elected official, was among those arrested and held for four days for allegedly assaulting Bavino, but the case was dropped after video evidence contradicted the claims. Over 75 cases against protesters and bystanders in Chicago collapsed due to lack of evidence or video footage disproving official accounts, raising questions about the motivations behind these arrests.

Tensions intensified in Minneapolis following Renee Good's death, with daily confrontations between protesters and federal agents. Despite a federal judge ordering limits on the use of tear gas and other weapons, agents continued to employ aggressive tactics. The tragic killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Prey, who was repeatedly pepper-sprayed and shot ten times after intervening in an arrest, marked a critical turning point. This incident, which contradicted official narratives according to witness declarations, led to Greg Bavino's dismissal and increased political pressure on the Trump administration, even from Republicans.

Following the intense scrutiny and political pressure, particularly after Alex Prey’s death, the Trump administration eventually toned down its rhetoric, and Bavino was dismissed. While mass sweeps and violent clashes have subsided, immigration arrests continue in large numbers. The documentary concludes by reflecting on Bavino's significant imprint on immigration enforcement and the deep scars left on communities across the country, highlighting fears about the future of such operations.