Expert Article Draft - Giovanni Riad - A Defense of Immigrants: The Disconcerting Rise of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in America
A Defense of Immigrants: The Disconcerting Rise of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in America
Being American isn’t about race or ancestry but shared values and ideas. Unlike many other countries, where national identity is tied to ethnicity, America is built on a mix of cultures and experiences. My parents are immigrants, but they see themselves as American after living here. They didn’t have to give up their roots to belong. Instead, they found a place that promised opportunity, fairness, and a chance to contribute. That’s what has always made America special. But now, that idea is being threatened.
The rise of anti-immigrant nationalism isn’t just about economic fears—it’s a rejection of what makes America unique. Instead of addressing real issues like corporate greed and wealth inequality, politicians are stoking fear, blaming immigrants for problems they didn’t create. Nationalism is being used as a weapon to divide people, ignoring America’s history as a country built by immigrants. This isn’t just hurting immigrant communities; it’s damaging the whole nation.
The Economic Myth Behind Nationalism
Many argue that immigration hurts American workers. That’s simply not true. Studies show that immigrants boost economic growth, bring new skills, and start businesses that create jobs. The real reason working-class Americans are struggling isn’t immigration—it’s unchecked corporate power that puts profits over workers. But instead of fixing those problems, nationalist politicians distract people by blaming immigrants.
Look at trade policies. Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs were meant to help American workers but ended up hurting industries that rely on those materials (Reuters, 2025). These moves sound tough but don’t solve the underlying economic problems. It’s the same with immigration—cracking down on immigrants doesn’t fix job losses caused by automation and corporate outsourcing.
Then there’s foreign aid. The U.S. is slashing aid to Latin America, worsening conditions that push people to migrate while ramping up border crackdowns (NBC News, 2025). Instead of tackling poverty and violence in these countries, the U.S. is making the situation worse, forcing more people to flee. This approach isn’t just cruel—it’s self-sabotage.
The Contradictions of American Nationalism
Nationalism in the U.S. has always been full of contradictions. America prides itself on liberty and equality yet has a history of xenophobic policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese internment camps. Every wave of immigrants—Irish, Italian, Jewish, Latin American—has faced hostility before eventually being accepted.
We’re seeing this cycle repeat but with more significant consequences. Nationalist populism isn’t just about keeping out immigrants—it’s an attack on democracy itself. Karl Polanyi, a political thinker, explained that when people struggle economically, they often blame outsiders instead of the fundamental causes, like corporate greed or flawed policies. This can lead to extreme nationalism, which, instead of fixing economic problems, actually weakens democracy (LSE, 2019). Right now, we’re seeing history repeat itself: economic frustrations are being redirected at immigrants instead of the fundamental issues causing hardship.
The Real Cost of Nationalist Policies
Policies driven by nationalism have serious consequences. Cutting foreign aid may seem like a way to put “America First,” but it worsens things by destabilizing regions and increasing migration. When Trump cut aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, violence and poverty skyrocketed, and more people fled north (NBC News, 2025). Instead of stopping migration, these policies make it inevitable.
At the same time, harsh immigration enforcement is creating humanitarian crises. Family separations, overcrowded detention centers, and inhumane policies go against the very values America claims to stand for. They also hurt the economy, creating labor shortages and fueling underground markets that exploit undocumented workers.
Nationalism is a Losing Strategy
America has never succeeded by shutting people out. Some of the country’s most significant achievements—economic booms, technological advances, and cultural movements—were fueled by diversity. Immigrants built railroads, advanced science, and reshaped industries.
Nationalism, on the other hand, isolates the country, weakens innovation, and creates division.
Right now, the world is more connected than ever. The nations that embrace diversity and global cooperation will thrive, while those clinging to isolationism will fall behind. The push for an exclusionary America isn’t just morally wrong—it’s setting the country up for failure.
Moving Forward: Inclusion Over Fear
Despite everything, history shows that change is possible. America has redefined itself before, and it can do so again. The way forward isn’t through fear and division—it’s through policies that address economic inequality without using immigrants as scapegoats. This means fair wages, corporate accountability, and international cooperation instead of protectionism and isolation.
It also requires a shift in how we think about immigration. Immigrants aren’t a problem to be solved—they’re an asset. The idea that immigrants have nothing to offer isn’t just racist—it’s ignorant. Immigrants have constantly enriched American society in every field, from business to science to the arts.
America is at a crossroads. We can either give in to nationalism and fear or embrace the diversity that has always made us strong. The choice isn’t just about politics—it’s about who we are as a country. Do we see ourselves as a nation of inclusion or retreat into a narrow, self-defeating vision of exclusion?
The future of America depends on this choice. If history has taught us anything, it’s that reinvention is possible. We can reclaim a future that values openness over fear, progress over retreat, and inclusion over division. But only if we choose it.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/cutting-usaid-migration-us-border-rcna191169
https://www.reuters.com/markets/asian-eu-steelmakers-shares-fall-after-trump-escalates-tariffs-2025-02-10/
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