By Jasper Wigglesworth, Third Year, Economics and Politics
With Trump's return to office, comes the potential for harsh immigration policies to spread xenophobia and threaten the nation's economy.
Trump’s overwhelming success, contrary to the polls, in the 2024 US election sent shock waves through the global order. His return has beckoned an era of an isolationist America, and a Europe left to fight for themselves. But for all the wide ranging geopolitical impacts, controversial comments, and growing divisiveness we have the displeasure to play witness to in the coming 4 years of his presidency, what does this mean for the millions of migrants who, for over a century, have and will come looking for the ‘American Dream’?
There are valid arguments to be made against large scale immigration, however, it is Trump’s explicit and unashamed cruelty that bleeds into the debate which makes it so foul. It is not just simply ‘immigration policy’, and as we have seen from this election it is neither facts nor figures which earns Trump support amongst middle class American voters. It is the language he employs, also of which is replicated amongst the right in Western politics, most notably in the toad incarnate named Nigel Farage. When searching for Trump’s anti-immigration demagoguery, we need look no further than his campaign rallies, one of his greatest hits being from late 2023:
They’re poisoning the blood of our country. That’s what they’ve done. They poison — mental institutions and prisons all over the world. Not just in South America. Not just the three or four countries that we think about. But all over the world they’re coming into our country — from Africa, from Asia, all over the world. They’re pouring into our country. - December 16th 2023, New Hampshire Rally
Immigration policy under Trump is therefore not that of a serious policy maker, but only based off xenophobia and racism. It prays on hatred and ignorance. For Trump to speak of poison may constitute hypocritical hysteria; it is only his rhetoric which injects poison.
Such dehumanising rhetoric also can lead to a spike in violence against immigrants. Unfounded claims such as his accusation of migrants ‘eating the cats and dogs’ in his televised debate against Kamala Harris, and referring to immigrants as ‘illegal aliens’ gives rise some of his supporters having a sense of being permitted to make immigrants feel unwelcome.
The irony Trump, and his MAGA cult, seem to miss is that without immigration, the country they say they love so much would not be the success it is today. The US is a unique blend of cultures which has allowed it to become a cultural powerhouse, however Trump’s policies further play on people’s fear of change; his rhetoric blames the undermining of US institutions on those entering the country, without realising the truth: America’s culture has always been a shifting kaleidoscope, and immigrants enrich and revitalise institutions and beliefs. Mexicans, Africans, and many more come to the United States and embrace its values, and their families become Americans.
Economically, America’s diversity has been a huge contributing factor to its economic success. A recently reported study by the National Foundation for American Policy found half of startups worth $1 billion are founded by immigrants. Even the US’ richest, and now since Trump’s election victory, most powerful man is Elon Musk, a South African born businessman. Therefore, there could be major economic consequences of Trump’s immigration policies.
The executive actions and reviews underway include a return of the ‘remain in Mexico’ programme initially introduced in Trump’s first term. A policy which requires migrants to remain in Mexico as their immigration proceedings are processed.
Another policy under consideration is making detention mandatory and a call for an end to releasing migrants. This policy would pave the way for Trump’s mass deportation dreams.
