Ep 1. The Border

In the season 3 premiere of United Shades of America, host Kamau Bell travels to the border between the United States and Mexico to explore the complex and controversial issues surrounding immigration and border control.

The episode begins with Bell meeting with a group of border patrol agents in Arizona, who explain the challenges they face in trying to secure the border and prevent drug and human trafficking. Bell also visits a border wall construction site to talk to construction workers and see firsthand the physical barriers being erected along the border.

Throughout the episode, Bell speaks with a variety of individuals affected by the border and immigration policies, including migrants attempting to cross illegally into the United States, as well as those who have been deported or separated from their families due to immigration raids.

One particularly poignant moment in the episode comes during Bell's visit to a shelter for migrants in Nogales, Mexico. Here, he speaks with a man who had been living in the United States for 30 years before being deported after a traffic violation. The man tearfully describes the pain of being separated from his wife and children, who he had not seen in several years.

Bell also speaks with lawyers and activists working to protect the rights of immigrants and refugees. He attends a "Know Your Rights" workshop and visits an organization providing legal aid to migrants seeking asylum in the United States.

The episode ends with Bell reflecting on the complex nature of the border and the role it plays in shaping the lives of people on both sides. He acknowledges that there are no easy solutions to the issues surrounding immigration and border control, but stresses the importance of compassionate and thoughtful discussion and policy-making.

Overall, The Border is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged episode that sheds light on a complex and contentious issue in modern American society. Through his conversations with individuals on all sides of the debate, Bell encourages viewers to consider the human cost of immigration and to seek out a more compassionate and just approach.