For centuries, the United States stood as a beacon for immigrants, a place where people from all corners of the world came to build new lives. This long-held image now faces a profound shift. Since 2025, the U.S. government has stepped up its measures against immigrants, carrying out raids in homes, workplaces, and even places once thought safe. This crackdown has sparked a national debate about who belongs in America and what its identity truly is. This topic creates more controversy than any other. People wonder, what will happen to the country of immigrants under these new policies?
A Nation at a Crossroads: The Fourth of July
The Fourth of July, America's Independence Day, often highlights the deep divisions within the country. While some celebrate with pride, many immigrants stay home out of fear. Others protest. This national holiday, meant to unite, now stands as a symbol of a nation divided. People are fighting for their future and the soul of the country.
Arizona: A Snapshot of Change
Nowhere are these changes more visible than in the American Southwest, especially in rural Arizona. The border with Mexico clearly shows how the country is changing. Here, different people hold vastly different views on immigration and what it means to be American.
The Voice of MAGA: Order and Core Values
Michael, a karate teacher and DJ from Tucson, Arizona, supports the "MAGA" movement and its leader. He gained national attention when the president shared one of his social media posts. For Michael, the president represents strength, order, and a return to the values the country should embrace.
Michael teaches his students more than self-defense. He wants them to understand how to live in the real world. This includes building a strong foundation and a set of core values. Many people born and raised in the U.S. learn what it means to be American over many years. By age 18, they understand the fundamental values of the country.
But Michael questions what happens when people arrive and skip this learning process, bringing their own values. He believes the U.S. should be a melting pot, but in practice, it often is not. Many immigrants, he says, form isolated communities and do not learn English. This lack of integration leads to "chaos" and an attempt to seize power.
Legal Immigration Versus New Arrivals: A Deeper Look
José Castro, born in the U.S. to parents from Mexico and El Salvador, also supports the MAGA movement. He feels Democrats do not represent him as an individual, but only as part of an ethnic group. "For Democrats, we are just Latinos," he states.
José finds it interesting that Democrats do not realize that immigrants who came to the U.S. legally often support his chosen political party. These legal immigrants do not like what Democrats say. The idea that "you came here legally, others are here illegally, but basically you are all immigrants" does not work for José. He believes it takes years to truly become an American. He emphasizes that the U.S. should be for Americans, and if people want to immigrate, they should do it legally.
José's father arrived in the U.S. in 1980, when it was easier to get a passport. José is proud of his American citizenship and culture. He loves visiting Mexico for food and to speak Spanish, but his loyalty is to the United States. He joined the National Guard to serve his country, showing his dedication. He feels that a high number of undocumented immigrants divides the nation, causes economic problems, and leads to street violence.
Lives in Limbo: The Immigrant Experience
While some advocate for strict immigration policies, others face direct challenges from them. The city of Tucson, just 60 miles from the Mexican border, is home to thousands of families from Latin America. Many are new to the country and fear they may soon have to leave.
Wendy's Struggle: Seeking Safety, Finding Uncertainty
Wendy and her family fled violence and threats in El Salvador two years ago. They came to the U.S. seeking asylum. Initially, they received asylum, but that decision was reversed after a change in administration. Now, their future is very unclear. Their work permits were canceled, cutting off possibilities for them to build a new life.
Wendy's young son once thought they could travel freely now that they were in the U.S. He joyfully told his mother, "Ay, qué padre, mami, qué padre que pues ya vamos a poder ir a donde queramos." He wanted to travel as a family. When he saw his mother sad, he asked what was wrong. She had to explain that the process would be much longer.
Wendy now embroiders at home and sells her creations online to pay her bills. She says without a work permit, she feels trapped. She worries about starting over again if deported. Her children have already faced too many difficult changes. "It's hard to stay, start from zero, and then suddenly have nothing and have to move or leave," she shares.
She vividly remembers promising her son they would go to McDonald's after crossing the border, a small dream for a child after such a journey. The day they entered, they kept that promise.
Isabel's Activism: Fighting for Rights
Isabel comes from a family that immigrated from Latin America generations ago. As a former defense lawyer, she has spent decades fighting for immigrant rights. She speaks out against the exploitation of immigrants, such as employers who hire people for construction or cleaning jobs and then refuse to pay them. She says this happens constantly, with workers sometimes receiving fake checks that bounce.
Isabel organizes her community to be vigilant against immigration police. She urges people to talk about proposed policies, like large-scale militarization. She knows many people are scared to leave their homes now. "We must launch a big campaign against these kidnappings," she says, referring to the raids.
She sees great hypocrisy in celebrating the Fourth of July. "We celebrate this country that they say is a nation of immigrants, but at the same time we persecute immigrants," she states. For her, the celebration feels painful when people do not even know the full history or acknowledge the current challenges faced by new arrivals.
The Future of America's Identity
The situation for many immigrants has gotten much harder since early 2025. Their chances of staying in the U.S. have dropped, and with that, their financial and social security. The sun still sets over the American landscape, bringing nights filled with noise and lights, especially on holidays. But what does the future hold for America's identity?
Some believe America's identity goes back to its founding fathers, the Constitution, and the rule of law. They argue that people crossing the border without understanding what it means to be American should not be able to vote on the country's future. They call for strict processes to protect core values. Otherwise, they fear a divided nation. They also believe in thanking those who risked their lives for freedom over the past 250 years.
Yet, for others, the Fourth of July now feels less about independence and more about division. The idea of freedom and independence raises the question: "Freedom for whom? Independence for whom?" It always comes back to who gets to be a part of it all. In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate 250 years of independence. This tradition is deeply tied to the promise of immigration. Many wonder if that promise has now come to an end.
