Immigration in the U.S.
The United States has historically been a major destination for immigrants. In 2014 alone, 1.3 million individuals immigrated here from all over the world to start a new life.
However, in times of economic hardship and periods of instability around national security, immigrants become the target of nativism – the policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants.
Despite the U.S.’s long history of immigration, nativist sentiments among American politicians date as far back as the 1700’s. Learn more about the impact of nativism on racial and immigrant groups in the United States in this cartoon from the Lowdown.
Today, these nativist views are targeted largely toward Muslim and Mexican immigrants. We have seen a rise in these sentiments as the election approaches. Some politicians have used alarming rhetoric about the immigration experience while others look for a path to policy reform.
