The Rise of Immigrant Hate in American Politics
In recent years, America has witnessed a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. For immigrants seeking a better life and often fleeing violence, poverty, and instability, the United States has stood as a symbol of hope and opportunity. But increasingly, they are met with hostility, prejudice, and fear. The rhetoric coming from politicians, media outlets, and extremist groups has created a dangerous environment for immigrant communities and fueled division in a country that prides itself on being a melting pot and land of opportunity.
This rise in immigrant hate is not an abstract issue and it affects real people with real stories. Families are being separated at the border, individuals are forced into the shadows to avoid deportation, and entire communities are living in fear. The consequences are felt on a deeply personal level, but they also represent a broader threat to American democracy and its values of equality, freedom, and opportunity for all. For many immigrants, the American Dream has turned into a nightmare as public figures increasingly use dehumanizing rhetoric to create fear and garner political support. Donald Trump, former U.S. president and current presidential candidate, has been a key figure in normalizing this kind of language. In a recent debate, Trump claimed that immigrants are “eating cats and dogs” in U.S. cities—and created an outrageous claim that plays into harmful stereotypes. Though widely debunked, this kind of rhetoric feeds into the fears and anxieties of certain voters, reinforcing the idea that immigrants are fundamentally “other,” uncivilized, and a threat to American values.
The narrative of immigrants as criminals or societal burdens has been a persistent theme in American politics, but under Trump and other political figures, this language has become more extreme. From calling Mexican immigrants "rapists" and criminals during his 2016 campaign to implementing policies like the Muslim Ban and family separations, Trump’s rhetoric has had real consequences for people. In 2021, the world watched in horror as Haitian migrants, fleeing political turmoil and natural disasters, were met with brutality at the U.S.-Mexico border when Images of Border Patrol agents on horseback using excessive force to chase down asylum seekers became publicized. The 2019 El Paso mass shooting, where a gunman targeted Latinos in a Walmart, is one tragic example of how rhetoric can inspire violence. The shooter’s manifesto echoed many of the same “invasion” themes that have been repeatedly said by politicians and media outlets.
The rise of immigrant hate in American politics is not just a political issue—it is a deeply human one. It affects families, children, and individuals who came to America with hopes of building a better life, only to find themselves villainized and dehumanized. The language of hate and the policies it inspires must be challenged if the U.S. is to remain true to its ideals of equality and opportunity. It’s time for public figures and policymakers to recognize the humanity in every person, regardless of where they come from. Only then can the country live up to its brand of the land of the free and the home of the brave.
