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Published January 22nd, 2026, 08:17 pm

With immigration enforcement intensifying in the United States and federal authorities expanding arrests and deportation efforts, the question of what it means to be an American is under scrutiny. Who gets to be an American today? And, how has that changed over time? 

The Metro's Robyn Vincent spoke with Marc Kruman, a retired professor of history at Wayne State University and the founding director of its Center for the Study of Citizenship, to learn more. 

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The Metro

What it means to be an American in 2026

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30m