Well, would you look at that?!?
A resurfaced report from CNN during the Obama administration is gaining renewed attention online, with many conservatives arguing it exposes a striking contrast in how federal immigration enforcement was portrayed before and after Donald Trump took office.
The segment originally aired on May 31, 2016, and followed agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a series of early-morning enforcement actions in Chicago. At the time, CNN was granted rare access to accompany ICE officers as they located and detained illegal immigrants with documented criminal records.
Reporter Pamela Brown opened the segment by explaining that the operation began before sunrise, with agents spreading across the city around 3 a.m. Officials stated the timing was intended to safely locate suspects before they left for work and to reduce potential risks to the public.
Throughout the report, agents described the stress and uncertainty involved in the job, noting heightened alertness as they prepared to enter neighborhoods considered dangerous. Cameras captured both the planning and unpredictability of the work, including a moment when agents briefly detained the wrong individual before confirming his identity and releasing him.
The segment also addressed tensions between federal authorities and local sanctuary policies. On-screen graphics explained that ICE officials believed Cook County’s sanctuary rules—limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—could pose public safety risks by allowing criminal offenders to be released back into the community.
CNN then followed agents as they arrested additional targets, including an individual who had previously been deported and later reentered the United States using a false identity. Brown informed viewers that ICE had monitored the suspect for an extended period and outlined the formal processing steps detainees undergo, including fingerprinting, questioning, and legal review before any removal decision is made.
In another arrest, an ICE agent emphasized the agency’s stated mission, explaining that removing individuals with extensive criminal histories helps protect law-abiding residents. The report also showed restraint in enforcement, documenting cases where individuals were released after agents determined they were not targets or lacked criminal records.
The segment concluded with an on-screen summary noting that six individuals were detained that day for possible deportation, while two were released because they did not have criminal histories.
The footage resurfaced after being shared on X by user @mazemoore, who pointed out that CNN’s coverage at the time appeared factual and largely non-confrontational. Many conservatives say the report stands in sharp contrast to the network’s later coverage of ICE during the Trump administration, when enforcement actions were frequently framed as controversial.
Although CNN has experienced multiple leadership and ownership changes since 2016, critics argue the segment reflects a broader media shift. They contend that immigration enforcement widely accepted under Barack Obama was later treated far more critically once Trump assumed office.
The renewed attention comes amid intensified scrutiny of ICE following a recent fatal encounter in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent shot Renee Nicole Good. Federal officials stated the agent acted in self-defense after Good allegedly attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon.
Public reaction to the resurfaced footage continues to grow. Ross Douthat of The New York Times noted the contrast in media tone, while also observing that enforcement tactics and presentation have evolved over time.
For many observers, the rediscovered CNN segment has reopened debate over whether immigration enforcement itself changed—or whether the biggest shift occurred in how it was covered once political leadership changed.
