A series many are likely to be talking and even thinking about, the six-part docuseries “Immigration Nation” begins streaming on Netflix.
Co-directors Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz obtained remarkably intimate access to U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they go about their jobs, as well as to the immigrants they detain.
At first glance, it seems like “Cops” in the age of ICE, a procedural that shows agents “just doing their job.” But the more many of the agents speak, the more alarming their “procedures” become. One female agent loves the fact that the Trump administration has removed the handcuffs and allowed them to get things done.
Others seem overwhelmed by the change in focus and the volume of apprehensions, detentions and deportations.
Before Trump, the mission was to arrest and deport violent offenders and serious criminals. Under Trump, it has been expanded to remove all illegals, even the law-abiding, hard-working, tax-paying and productive. This change in focus has not only turned millions into the equivalent of hardened criminals in the eyes of the law, it has necessitated a rapid increase in recruitment and training. ICE grew, and it grew in a hurry. And not all of the agents are entirely comfortable with what it has become.
Some weeks ago, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had tried to keep Netflix from airing some of the footage contained in “Immigration Nation.”
You have to wonder who thought the agency’s cooperation with this project would turn out “good” publicity. Even the most benign footage showing ICE teams “peacefully” executing their missions seems chilling. The sight of heavily armed agents pounding on apartment doors in the dead of night while refusing to produce warrants should concern everyone.
— The 2019 documentary “The Pickup Game” (9 p.m., Showtime, TV-MA) examines a lucrative international industry of seduction “experts” who receive large sums for speaking engagements, seminars and private lessons teaching men strategies for sexual conquest.
Some teachers have been arrested and deported for techniques that are simply criminal. The film documents a sad convergence of male insecurity, misogyny and exploitation that generates hundreds of millions of dollars.
— Speaking of schemes, “American Greed” (10 p.m., CNBC) revisits the Ponzi schemes of Bernie Madoff, a man who swindled the rich and famous as well as family friends and acquaintances. His crimes were odious, but, in many ways, he became a kind of scapegoat for the unprosecuted crimes that led to the 2008 stock market collapse, a pattern of malfeasance that transcended the actions of one man. “Greed” catches up with Madoff facing life in prison.
— The “POV” (10 p.m., PBS, TV-PG, check local listings) documentary “Chez Jolie Coiffure” profiles Sabine, an energetic hairdresser who operates a clandestine salon for the African immigrant community in Brussels, Belgium. Her shop becomes a gathering spot and safe space for immigrant women. Sabine emerges as a community leader for her clientele, mostly from Cameroon, offering them banking and investment advice and help with immigration paperwork as well as managing their hair color and extensions.
TONIGHT’S OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
— Dwayne Johnson presides over “The Titan Games” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
— Violence strikes the call center on “9-1-1” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).
— Ali Fedotowsky reflects on “The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
— Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart, Molly Yeh and Alton Brown share culinary excitement on “All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate” (9 p.m., Food, TV-G).
— Mayhem at the male strip club on “9-1-1: Lone Star” (8 p.m., Fox, r, TV-14).
— Money management can be murder on “Bull” (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).
CULT CHOICE
— TCM spends the day with Rita Hayworth, who stars with husband Orson Welles in the shattering “Lady from Shanghai” (8 p.m., TV-PG) and with Glenn Ford in her signature role, “Gilda” (10 p.m., TV-PG). Of her love life, Hayworth memorably observed, “They go to bed with Gilda and wake up with me.”
SERIES NOTES
A chance encounter on “The Neighborhood” (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) … Improvisations on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (8 p.m. CW, r, TV-14, and 8:30 p.m., r, TV-PG) … Pew research on “Bob Hearts Abishola” (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-PG) … Whatever Lola wants on “All Rise” (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) … American talent tangles with international champions on “American Ninja Warrior” (9 p.m., NBC, r, TV-PG) … Illusionists audition on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (9 p.m., CW, TV-PG).
LATE NIGHT
Martin Short appears on “Conan” (11 p.m., TBS, r) … W. Kamau Bell and the Chicks appear on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jimmy Fallon welcomes Common and Rufus Wainwright on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Jane Curtin and Thaddeus Dixon visit “Late Night With Seth Meyers” (12:35 a.m., NBC).
