How Trump Is Destroying America’s Pro-Immigrant Legacy (OPINION)

By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that United States of America (USA) was founded on principles of liberty, opportunity, and inclusivity. The vision of its Founding Fathers was rooted in the idea that the nation would serve as a beacon of hope for the persecuted, the displaced, and those seeking a better life. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”, epitomizes this ethos. However, in recent years, former President Donald Trump has dramatically shifted this narrative, transforming America’s image from a land of opportunity to a fortress of exclusion. His policies and rhetoric have not only targeted immigrants but have also alienated allies, making the world perceive America as hostile rather than welcoming.

The Founding Fathers, despite their own imperfections, laid the groundwork for a nation that would thrive on diversity. Many of them were either immigrants or descendants of immigrants who sought religious freedom, economic opportunity, and political self-determination. The drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was influenced by the ideals of universal rights, which later became a fundamental attraction for immigrants worldwide.

Throughout American history, immigrants have played an indispensable role in shaping the country’s economy, culture, and technological advancements. From Irish and German immigrants in the 19th century to waves of Asian, African, and Latin American immigrants in the 20th and 21st centuries, America has been enriched by its multicultural fabric. Policies such as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended racial quotas, further reinforced the country’s commitment to diversity.

Even the American Visa Lottery Program, officially known as the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, is a testament to America’s continuous effort to attract immigrants. This program, introduced in 1990, serves as a promotional tool to bring in diverse groups of people from underrepresented countries, further reinforcing the notion that the U.S. values the contributions of immigrants to its development. It has allowed thousands of people worldwide to legally immigrate, settle, and contribute to the American economy.

While America prides itself on its immigrant-friendly history, it is also crucial to acknowledge the darker chapters of this narrative. The transatlantic slave trade is a harrowing example of how desperate the founders were to attract human labor, though in this case, through inhumane and coercive means. The forced migration of Africans to work on plantations was an evil method of workforce attraction, yet it underscores the reality that the early American economy relied heavily on external human resources. This exploitation is a stark contrast to the ideals of voluntary immigration, but it shows that even from its inception, America recognized that it could not build its economy alone.

In fact, Donald Trump’s rise to power was fueled by divisive rhetoric that cast immigrants as threats rather than assets. His campaign launch in 2015 featured an infamous statement accusing Mexican immigrants of being criminals and rapists. This marked the beginning of a presidency characterized by relentless attacks on immigration.

Without any iota of embellishment in this milieu, one of Trump’s signature policies was the construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. While the wall was symbolic of his administration’s hardline stance, the real humanitarian crisis stemmed from the implementation of family separation policies. Under the “zero tolerance” policy, thousands of children were separated from their parents at the border, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

In a similar vein, in one of his earliest executive orders, Trump imposed a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries, citing national security concerns. This move was widely criticized as discriminatory and counterproductive, as it affected families, students, and skilled workers who had legitimate reasons to enter the United States.

Also in a similar vein, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, introduced under President Obama, provided legal protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Trump’s repeated attempts to dismantle the program put nearly 800,000 young immigrants, known as Dreamers, at risk of deportation, despite their contributions to American society.

Also, Trump significantly reduced the number of refugees admitted into the U.S., slashing the annual cap to historically low levels. Additionally, his administration made it more difficult for asylum seekers to claim protection, forcing many to remain in dangerous conditions in their home countries or at the Mexican border.

Analyzing the situation from the perspective of global fallout, it is not a misnomer to opine that Trump is relentlessly making the world America’s enemy.

In fact, Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric did not just affect those seeking entry into the U.S.; they also strained America’s relationships with allies and trade partners. Countries that once saw the U.S. as a land of opportunity and a global leader have since Trump return to the presidency began to view his nascent administration to be hostile and isolationist.

Without a doubt, his second coming has the capability of straining diplomatic relations. In fact, Countries affected by the Muslim ban, Latin American nations impacted by border policies, and European allies critical of Trump’s immigration stance all experienced tensions with the U.S.

Concerning damage to economic growth, immigrants have historically fueled economic expansion, filling labor shortages and driving innovation. By reducing immigration, Trump’s policies risked stagnating industries that rely on foreign talent.

Also, America’s traditional role as a defender of human rights and democracy is been undermined by Trump’s policies that contradict these values. In fact, Nations once inspired by American ideals now questioned its credibility.

Without a doubt, the vision of the Founding Fathers was not one of fear and exclusion but of hope and opportunity. While Trump’s presidency marked a significant departure from America’s pro-immigrant legacy, the resilience of American democracy offers hope for a reversal of these policies. The U.S. must reaffirm its commitment to being a land that welcomes rather than repels, embracing the diversity that has always made it strong.

As the world watches, America faces a choice: continue down a path of division or return to the ideals that made it a beacon of hope for generations. The future of American democracy depends on whether it can reclaim its foundational principles and restore its global reputation as a land of freedom, not fear.