Introduction
Undoubtedly, immigration has always been a salient issue in United States politics due to the interplay among historical, economic, and sociocultural factors. Many tend to forget the fact that immigrants founded the country itself, the people who fled Europe in search of more prospects and a better future. Therefore, the entire population of the United States is composed of immigrants’ descendants (Vox, 2016).
History of Immigration to the US
Initially, European immigrants constituted the primary and largest influx, benefiting from policies that facilitated their migration to the US. However, early in the nation’s history, significant numbers of immigrants from Canada and China also arrived. Understanding the problem at large requires acknowledging the intersectionality of racism, nationalism, and immigration policies.
Over time, various policies facilitated increased immigration from Hispanic and Asian communities. As reported by Vox (2016), in 1921, the US government placed a cap on immigration based on nationality, which prevented people from outside the Western hemisphere or from countries with older ties to the US from immigrating to America. This was the next step after banning the immigration of Asians, except for the citizens of Japan and the Philippines.
Even during WWII, the US refused to increase immigration caps for 20,000 Jewish children fleeing Nazi rule (Vox, 2016). Even though in the 1970s the cap system was repealed, it does not mean that cultural and racial bias does not exist, particularly in light of the rising Islamic terrorism threat and the growth of criminal activity on the border with Mexico. For example, President Trump’s political legacy lies in the discussion of making immigration laws more brutal, up to building a wall with Mexico (PBS, 2019).
Current Relevance of the Issue
The issue is among the most prominent ones in the current presidential election campaign, as Republicans point out the inability of Democrats to protect the country’s security through a strong border law. At his New Hampshire rally, Trump said, “When they let 15-16 million people into our country, we got a lot of work to do. They are poisoning the blood of our country” (Politico, 2023). The roots of the debate against immigration on the part of the presidential candidate lie not only in opposing Democrats’ agenda but also in deep racial stereotyping and the abandonment of the idea that America gets stronger when people from multiple cultures come together to build a better future. Importantly, family connections, employment ties, or the need for humanitarian aid are the primary avenues through which immigrants pursue temporary or permanent residency in the United States (Gelatt, 2019).
Additionally, individuals with in-demand skills or those chosen through the diversity visa lottery may also gain entry, albeit to a lesser degree. Visa classifications have diverse criteria, are subject to varying numerical limits, and confer differing privileges and obligations. After attaining legal permanent resident status (LPR), individuals are authorized to live and work in the country. Still, rights such as voting and running for federal office are not granted (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2019). This illustrates that immigrants do not have a severe degree of influence on US politics, contrary to what Republicans and their leaders claim.
Nevertheless, there are several reasons why racist arguments made by the opponents of immigration are appealing to the larger population. In particular, during times of economic downturn or social change, people may look for others to blame for problems such as these. Immigrants, particularly those who are racially or ethnically distinct, often become convenient targets for this scapegoating. Furthermore, the historical precedents of racial discrimination and segregation, as well as exclusionary immigration policies, have had an impact on the sentiment of the general population (Johnson, 2022). Biased arguments against immigration can tap into this historical legacy, resonating with individuals who harbor prejudiced beliefs or who are receptive to xenophobic rhetoric.
As evidenced by the current presidential race, it could be a fruitful media strategy for some politicians to exploit racial prejudices and anxieties linked to them to advance their own agendas. By framing immigration as a threat to national security or economic stability, a common strategy employed by Trump, they can rally support from certain segments of the population and bolster their political power. The consistent perpetuation of the negative stereotype of immigrants can also evoke anxiety among those groups who fear the dilution or loss of their cultural identity. It can manifest as hostility towards immigrants, particularly those from culturally distinct backgrounds. Finally, it is crucial to note that periods of economic insecurity, characterized by increased unemployment, often lead to the misconception that immigrants are competing directly with native-born Americans for jobs, despite research suggesting otherwise (Krogstad et al., 2020).
Conclusion
To conclude, racist immigration policies cannot be solved at once, as they require a multifaceted approach that tackles the underlying prejudices and systemic inequalities that perpetuate them. This includes education, challenging stereotypes, and making diversity and inclusion cornerstones of existing policies. Immigration policies must be reformed to be more equitable, thus fostering dialogue that emphasizes shared humanity rather than divisive rhetoric.
References
Krogstad, J. M., Lopez, M. H., & Passel, J. S. (2020). A majority of Americans say immigrants mostly fill jobs U.S. citizens do not want.
Johnson, K. R. (2022). Systemic racism in the U.S. immigration laws. Indiana Law Journal, 97(4), 1455-1478.
Bipartisan Policy Center. (2019). 10 things to know about: How the Legal U.S. immigration system works.
Gelatt, J. (2019). Explainer: How the U.S. legal immigration system works.
Vox. (2016). The racist history of US immigration policy. YouTube.
PBS. (2019). Exploring the recent history of U.S. immigration backlashes | Full report | Retro report on PBS. YouTube.
Politico. (2023).’Â Trump says immigrants are ‘poisoning the blood of our country‘. YouTube.