For centuries, many have seen the United States as a nation built by immigrants. People from all over the world came here, hoping for a better life. But today, the country faces a tough conversation about its identity. Since 2025, the U.S. government has taken a much harder stand on immigration. This change has led to widespread raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Agents sweep through cities, raid businesses, and even enter places like churches and hospitals. Millions of people now face the threat of deportation. This shift has created deep divisions, especially along the southern border, where the effects are most visible.
A Tougher Stance on Immigration
The year 2025 marked a significant turn in U.S. immigration policy. The government began to enforce stricter rules, leading to more arrests and deportations. These actions often happen in public, with armed agents raiding workplaces and homes. The administration says these policies target individuals with criminal backgrounds. They believe law enforcement will act fairly and professionally. Yet, many see these raids as a brutal crackdown.
Protests have grown across the country. People gather in cities like Tucson, Arizona, to speak out against the new policies. They believe the country is forgetting its roots and its constitution. For some, Independence Day, the Fourth of July, has become a symbol of this split. Many stay home out of fear or protest, unwilling to celebrate in a nation they see as divided.
What Does it Mean to Be American?
The changing immigration rules have sparked a debate about what it truly means to be an American. This question touches on core values, language, and cultural integration. Different people hold very different ideas about who belongs and how new arrivals should fit in.
A Focus on American Values and Order
In rural Arizona, some residents strongly support the new immigration policies. Michael McCune, a karate instructor in Benson, is one of them. He became well-known after the former president shared one of his social media posts. For Michael, the president represents strength and order. He believes in a clear vision for the U.S.
Michael teaches his students more than just self-defense. He aims to teach them how to live in the real world and build a strong foundation of values. He believes children born and raised in the U.S. learn these values naturally over 18 years. They understand what it means to be American.
However, Michael worries about what happens when people bypass this process. He feels that new arrivals sometimes bring their own values without fully integrating. He describes the U.S. as a "melting pot," but fears this isn't happening. Instead, he sees new groups forming their own communities and not always learning the English language. He believes this lack of integration leads to the "chaos" he observes in the country.
Dreams Shattered for Asylum Seekers
Just 100 kilometers from the Mexican border, Tucson’s suburbs are home to many families from Latin America. Thousands of new residents live in fear. They worry they might soon be forced to leave the country.
Wendy and her family fled their home in El Salvador two years ago. Violence and threats made their lives unsafe there. They came to the U.S. seeking asylum. Their application was first approved, giving them hope. Wendy told her son they could stay, and he was excited about traveling as a family.
But then, the situation changed. After the president took office, the government reversed their asylum decision. Now, their legal status is uncertain. They lost their work permits, which took away their chances to earn a living legally. Wendy described the pain of telling her son the process would take longer, seeing his confusion and sadness.
Wendy still tries to keep things normal for her children. She talks to her mother, who also lives in the U.S., every day. They try to make the children feel safe and loved. Wendy firmly believes, "No matter what happens, my children will stay with me." She runs a small online shop, selling hand-embroidered items, to help pay bills. The fear of returning to El Salvador is constant. She remembers the struggle at the border, telling her son they would go to McDonald's "someday." The day they were allowed to enter, they went straight there. It was their first taste of a new life.
Navigating Identity and Loyalty
The discussion around immigration also brings up questions of loyalty and who truly belongs. For some, being American means following specific rules and showing strong national pride. For others, it involves fighting for the rights of all people, regardless of their background.
A New Path for Immigrants Supporting MAGA
José Castro grew up near the border town of Nogales. He is the first in his family born in the U.S., with Mexican and Salvadoran heritage. José sees himself as an American, born and raised. He enjoys Mexican culture, food, and speaking Spanish, but his identity is clearly American.
José supports the president’s policies and the MAGA movement. He once identified with the Democratic Party but felt they saw him as part of a group, "just Latinos," rather than as an individual. He left the party because he felt unseen.
He believes in legal immigration. José points out that many legal immigrants do not support Democrats. He thinks they feel insulted when lumped together with those who came illegally. For José, becoming an American is a long, difficult process that takes years. His own father arrived in the U.S. in 1980, when citizenship was easier to get.
A personal tragedy, the death of his father, deeply affected José. This difficult time led him to find faith in the Catholic Church. He remembers feeling alone but hearing a voice that told him he was loved. This spiritual journey, rather than politics, led him to his current beliefs.
Advocating for Human Rights
Isabel Garcia comes from a family with several generations of Latin American heritage. She has spent decades working as a migrant advocate and used to be a criminal defense attorney. She strongly criticizes the current policies and the treatment of immigrants.
Isabel highlights cases where workers are exploited. She explains how people are hired for construction or clean-up jobs, do the work, and then are not paid. They might receive phony or bounced checks. These injustices fuel her fight for migrant rights.
She also speaks about the fear gripping immigrant communities. People are scared to go out, unlike in past times. She urges communities to organize "barrio walks," to look out for ICE agents, and to spread awareness about what is happening. Isabel believes in actively resisting what she calls "kidnappings" and ensuring families know their rights.
The Fourth of July: Unity or Division?
The Fourth of July, America’s Independence Day, has become a focal point for these disagreements. Once a day for widespread celebration, it now highlights the deep divides within the country.
Celebrating Patriotism and Core Values
Michael McCune, the karate instructor, works on sound design for Fourth of July celebrations. He wants to create an emotional connection to the day. For him, it is more than just a party with fireworks and beers. He includes historical clips and patriotic songs like "God Bless the USA." He even uses a clip of the president saying, "We will not forget our God," leading into the song. This blend of modern and classical aims to create a unique and special patriotic feeling. Michael believes the Fourth of July celebrates the nation’s history, its values, and its founding fathers. He stresses the importance of the Constitution and the rule of law. He feels new arrivals who don't understand these things should not vote on America's future.
José Castro also sees the Fourth of July as a day to show loyalty and celebrate America. For him and his fellow Republicans, it is about honoring the country, not just having a party. He feels that opponents sometimes boycott these celebrations because they see America as "evil." José believes that rising illegal migration creates division, financial stress, and conflict. He even worries the country is on the verge of a "civil war" because some refuse to follow laws they dislike.
A Day of Hypocrisy for Some
Isabel Garcia views the Fourth of July differently. For her, celebrating the flag and the nation can feel hypocritical. She points out that the U.S. claims to be a "nation of immigrants" while at the same time "persecuting immigrants." She mentions a shrine in Tucson dedicated to the thousands of migrants who have died trying to reach the U.S. This shrine, established after a terrible event where 13 Salvadorans died, serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of border policies.
The traditional meaning of Independence Day, celebrating a break from Europe and liberty, feels hollow to Isabel. She asks, "Liberty for who? Independence for who?" She believes the core question, "Who belongs?" has always been at the heart of these celebrations. She notes that the situation for many immigrants has worsened since 2025, reducing their chances of staying and risking their security.
The Future of a Divided Nation
The ongoing debate about immigration highlights a struggle for the very soul of the United States. In 2026, the country will mark 250 years of independence. Immigration was once seen as vital to the nation's identity, a source of strength and growth. Today, that vision seems harder to grasp than ever before.
Many feel trapped between impossible choices. Wendy struggles with the thought of staying in the U.S. under uncertain conditions or leaving for an even more dangerous future. "As a mother, I don’t want to start over from scratch again," she says, reflecting the fear of many families. The nation grapples with strong feelings and differing ideas about its past, present, and future. The question of who belongs and how America defines itself continues to fuel a deep and emotional divide.
