Radio Atlantic — “When Border Patrol Comes to Town” (Nov 20, 2025)
Host: Hanna Rosin (The Atlantic)
Guests: Brian Culp (Chicago resident and lawyer), Nick Miroff (Immigration reporter, The Atlantic)

Overview

This episode explores the transformation of federal immigration enforcement in American cities, focusing on the increasing presence and aggressive tactics of the Border Patrol under the Trump administration's “Operation Midway Blitz.” Through the personal narrative of Chicago resident Brian Culp and in-depth analysis by reporter Nick Miroff, the episode examines how an agency designed for border operations is now enforcing immigration laws deep within U.S. cities—raising questions about law enforcement culture, accountability, and the impact on communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Chicago Neighborhood Upended (00:54–05:44)

• Brian Culp recalls witnessing a violent Border Patrol arrest on his lawn during what was supposed to be a normal neighborhood Halloween parade.
  • Culp, a lawyer and former city attorney, describes chaos as agents in military fatigues tackled a man and used chemical agents on bystanders.
  • Quote:

    “In my entire time defending Chicago police officers, never once did I have to justify that level of force, ever.” — Brian Culp (04:49)

• Residents were shocked; crowd control tactics escalated, causing injuries and confronting families with unprecedented violence.
  • Culp emphasizes the new fear this brings to minority and immigrant communities.

2. Border Patrol’s Expanding Role & Contrast With ICE (06:11–14:32)

• Nick Miroff discusses why the administration turned to Border Patrol over ICE:
  • Trump’s push for mass deportations exceeded ICE’s capacity and training.
  • ICE specializes in targeted enforcement, works closely with courts, and is accustomed to urban environments.
  • Border Patrol is trained for national defense at the border, often using broad, aggressive tactics and perceiving anyone in their area as a suspect.
  • Quote:

    “The most confrontational imagery, the most violent imagery ... is the actions of Border Patrol.” — Nick Miroff (06:46)

• Difference in mentality:
  • For ICE, mistakes (e.g., detaining citizens) are failures; for Border Patrol, not stopping potential threats is the bigger error.

3. New Tactics in Urban America (11:10–14:52)

• Escalating enforcement:
  • Both agencies now use more aggressive tactics, but Border Patrol is especially visible—camouflage, heavier weaponry, SWAT-style raids.
  • Social media often misattributes these actions to ICE, swaying public perception.
  • Crowd videos (e.g., at courthouses and protests) highlight forceful interventions, sometimes resulting in litigation.
  • Quote:

    “On the streets... many of the videos we've seen that have been attributed to ICE are actually Border Patrol agents.” — Nick Miroff (11:30)

4. Legal Boundaries and Erosion of Community Trust (14:52–17:01)

• “100-mile rule” and the decline of local accountability:
  • Border Patrol’s authority is not strictly limited geographically; inside cities, their lower standards for suspicion have real consequences.
  • ICE actively avoids detaining citizens; Border Patrol’s mindset is “detain first, ask questions later.”
    • Quote:

      “Acting first and working out the details later isn't considered ... bad operating policy for Border Patrol agents.” — Nick Miroff (16:13)

The Rise of Greg Bovino and Social Media Propaganda (18:57–24:12)

• Who is Greg Bovino?
  • A long-serving, media-savvy Border Patrol chief now leading city deployments, reporting directly to top DHS and White House officials.
  • Known for gun-laden social media posts and for producing militarized, action-movie-style propaganda videos.
    • Oversaw raids with helicopters, SWAT, flashbangs—often detaining people, including U.S. citizens, indiscriminately.
  • Quote:

    “They view themselves almost kind of like an untouchables, where they are taking back some territory that has been occupied or taken over by criminals.” — Nick Miroff (23:05)

• Public Reaction:
  • Supporters see Border Patrol as ‘action heroes’; critics and even many inside DHS view these tactics as reckless and damaging to the agency’s legitimacy.

Notable Moment

• Bovino’s team used pop culture music (Kendrick Lamar) in propaganda videos, drawing attention and controversy. — (21:09)

Numbers Paint a Different Picture: Who’s Being Arrested? (24:12–28:40)

• Contradiction between rhetoric and reality:
  • Despite administration claims of targeting “the worst of the worst,” data from Chicago court filings reveal only a small minority of arrestees had criminal records.
    • Quote:

      “Of more than 600 suspects ... only 16 had criminal records that led them to be considered public safety risks by ICE.” — Nick Miroff (25:46)

  • Biden-era ICE focused on recent entrants and public safety threats, but current Border Patrol operations are less discerning.

Legal Shifts and the Future of Enforcement (28:40–34:52)

• Supreme Court shadow docket opinion allows use of ethnicity and language as factors in stops
  • Kavanaugh’s language:

    “Do not speak much English, apparent ethnicity ... common sense that these factors constitute ... reasonable suspicion of illegal presence.” — (29:55–30:14)

  • While not settled law, the decision has emboldened racial profiling practices.
• Operation mobility:
  • After pushback and court restrictions in Chicago, Bovino and team redeploy to North Carolina (“Charlotte’s Web”)—anticipating New Orleans and New York City next.
  • Quote:

    “They view this almost episodically ... the point isn't to stay forever in a particular city.” — Nick Miroff (32:42)

Scale, Bureaucratic Drift, and Political Implications (34:52–39:18)

• How big can this get?
  • Border Patrol’s city deployments are growing; ICE offices increasingly led by Border Patrol veterans.
  • ICE’s cautious, targeted culture is being supplanted; morale is suffering.
• Funding and political pressure ensure continuity:
  • Massive budgets passed, dramatically increasing agency manpower and detention capacity.
• Militarization and political theater:
  • Administration sees operations as asserting federal power over Democratic cities and “sanctuary” jurisdictions, with increased militarization aimed as much at political foes as at migrants.
  • Quote:

    “This kind of militarization is targeted both at protesters, at Democratic officials ... and as part of a desire to ... deport as many people as possible.” — Nick Miroff (39:18)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Brian Culp’s eyewitness account: 00:54–05:44
• Why Border Patrol, not ICE?: 06:11–09:34
• How enforcement cultures differ: 09:34–11:10
• Social media, public perception, and new tactics: 11:10–14:52
• Legal authority and “100-mile rule”: 14:52–17:01
• Profile of Greg Bovino and Border Patrol propaganda: 18:57–24:12
• Who’s being targeted—data and rhetoric: 24:12–28:40
• Supreme Court and profiling: 28:40–30:35
• Moving operations city to city: 30:35–34:52
• Agency expansion and political context: 34:52–39:18

Memorable Closing Moment

• Brian Culp reveals his kids’ Halloween costumes:

  “They were, ironically, they were both police officers.” — Brian Culp (39:33)

Summary:
This episode offers a rare window into the day-to-day realities and broader consequences of the Trump administration’s urban deportation blitz—revealing both personal and systemic transformations as the Border Patrol increasingly brings “border tactics” into the American heartland. The conversation challenges listeners to reconsider assumptions about enforcement, community, and the meaning of security in an era of escalating political and legal conflict.