Opinion: Immigration Policy in America: Nativism, Racism, and Americanism

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This article is one article in a series on immigration reform for the election season.

In recent years since the tragic attacks of September 11th, Americans have looked to the security of America from foreign invasion. Part of the search has found its way to addressing the concern of a vastly open border to the north and south of the nation. The main focus has been on the southern border due to the fact that a larger number of immigrants enter through that border than the one to the north shared with Canada.

The focus on the southern border has brought to light a realization that was not as prevalent before 2001, that the majority of immigrants are Latino. Even more of a realization was that illegal immigration has become a problem of high proportions. The knowledge that the numbers of illegal immigration equals to the numbers legal immigration has lead people to a conclusion : First deal with illegal immigration as it is a greater risk to the nation's security. Legal immigration has been pushed to the back burner.

Arguments were formed against illegal immigration quickly and were just as quickly rebutted by the millions of illegals and illegal immigration supporters in America. The passion of the arguments lead to people slinging mud in the form of rather poisonous words. The attempt to censor pro- legal immigration through guilt is a tactic that can be beheld on message boards, in protests, and in news commentaries.

The pro-illegal immigration arguments:

Argument: Anyone who is anti-illegal is anti-immigrant or xenophobic.

Fact: In a recent Rasmussen poll only 32% of people in America are angry with immigration, and only 12% of those are angry at the immigrants themselves. 82% of that 32% are angry at the government and the current policies.

Fact: In a recent Gallup Poll 64% of people answered, "A Good Thing" when presented with the question; " On the whole, do you think immigration is a good thing or a bad thing for this country today?"

Conclusion: This means only about 1 in 300 Americans have anger directed at immigrants and could even possibly be anti-immigrant as a whole. If this 1 in 300 is spread across the country there is no possible way all the people accused of being anti-immigrant could be as they are accused. Furthermore 64% believe as a whole immigration has been a good thing, it is important to note that the "as a whole" condition in the sentence added weight to consider illegal immigration and the negative factors. Even with these factors added in, a large majority have still responded with a positive outlook.

Argument: Anyone who is anti-illegal is a nativist. (Note: Nativist is used in connotation with xenophobic in many arguments)

Fact: Nativism - the policy of protecting the interests of native inhabitants against those of immigrants.

Nativism in Politics- A sociopolitical policy, especially in the United States in the 19th century, favoring the interests of established inhabitants over those of immigrants.
The reestablishment or perpetuation of native cultural traits, especially in opposition to acculturation.

Fact: American tradition taught in elementary school has been that of the " bread basket," the "tossed salad," or the " soup." This concept addresses how many different cultures have added separate traditions to make a new society. For instance a chicken noodle soup is one soup, but it also has noodles, broth, carrots, celery, and chicken. All the distinct tastes are separate, but when cooked together makes all of the unique tastes into one delicious soup. That is the "tradition" or the "native cultural trait" of America. America's native cultural trait is immigration.

Fact: It is also tradition that cultural centers of other societies have been developed as transitional places and have generally been embraced by Americans. (eg. China Town or Little Italy)

Fact: In a recent Rasmussen poll -

Do most government officials encourage immigrants to fully embrace American culture and society? Or do most government officials encourage immigrants to retain the culture of their home country?


32% Fully embrace American culture

43% Encourage immigrants to retain the culture of their home country

26% Not sure

Conclusion: Nativism as described cannot be concluded with anti-immigrant sentiment because the main cultural trait of America is immigration. During the 19th century when nativism was observed it reflected the established immigrant population's values in opposition to the Irish Catholic values and support for the pope. Catholicism spread in America, as did those with Irish heritage.

The real issue is, is nativism truly synonymous with xenophobia and racism as many suggest? Some argue that what people call nativism is simply a way of preserving culture while slowly allowing the assimilation of another very distinct group, with a distinct culture without another culture being completely snuffed out. This is not a negative movement as is suggested but a very natural movement. Most Americans are nativists as are those of other countries and those who come to America and refuse to assimilate and stay in their cultural enclave. However, there are many nativists in America who take this concept to the extreme and have made the connotation quite negative. Therefore considering the small number of nativists in the country who fit within the negative connotation, anti-illegal does not mean one is a nativist as it is used in conversation today.

Argument: Anti-illegal are Racist.
Sub-Argument: Anti-illegal are Racist against Latinos.

Fact: Racism - 1.The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

Fact: A significant portion of illegal immigrants are Hispanic. A pew center poll estimates that about 58% of the current illegal population is from Mexico.

Fact: There has been a significant increase on Hispanic or Latino workers and communities as a target for illegal immigration raids.

Fact: The focus on the illegal immigration raids on Hispanic communities is being hailed as racial profiling and therefore racist.

Conclusion: While there has been profiling of Hispanic communities as being safe harbors for illegal immigrants, the profiling is not motivated by racist sentiments. The profiling has been motivated by the facts that a vast majority of illegal immigrants are Latino. Investigating Hispanic communities when reports of illegal immigrants have been issued is not illegal, or racial profiling because of racist intent. The debate as to whether or not racial profiling is right considering demographics and facts is often confused with the debate of whether these pro filings are motivated by racism ,or the belief that a particular race ( in this case whites) is superior. The raids are not motivated by hatred as some would suggest. As one can see above, only 1 in 300 Americans are angry at immigrants, and even that is not conclusive proof that the 1 in 300 thinks their race is superior.

Despite the facts, people will still be accused of being racist, xenophobic, or ignorant when saying that illegal immigration is a problem. These types of arguments are counter productive to addressing the real issues of immigration and how immigration can once again be a benefit instead of a perceived burden on Americans.

Sources: Rassmusen Poll, Gallup Poll