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Immigration rhetoric in 2024 elections threatens to divide US unity

Sakege November 5, 2024

Clara Celedon
| Staff Writer

As the 2024 presidential election cycle nears its final days and candidates prepare their final statements, immigration remains a crucial topic of discussion. Historically, the United States has been a diverse population and “nation of immigrants.”

Despite promising opportunities, recent leadership narratives have undermined these attributes by demonizing identities.

The conversation is sliding into dangerous territory, and voters should pay attention to the speech chosen to frame differences in perspective. Recent comments made in support of and by the candidates have pointed an accusatory finger at marginalized communities. They promote stereotypes that instill fear and mobilize electoral support for political actions.

In September, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump participated in their only presidential debate, focused on immigration. When Trump was asked about his blocking of a bill that would minimize drug trafficking across the border, he deflected. Instead, he opted for spread false claims about Haitian immigrants and stated that “people want their country back.”

Statements like these suggest that the United States is a nation reserved for select individuals, to the exclusion of others. Immigration policy is relevant and should consider the possible implications. Language should foster inclusion, not reinforce divisions within and outside the target group or identities. In a country characterized by demographic diversity, such divisive rhetoric becomes threatening.

Turning attention to Springfield, Ohio, Trump continued to argue that Haitian immigrants are “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats…of the people who live there.” City officials have since debunked these commentsraising concerns about how marginalized communities are represented and used by leaders to advance political agendas.

To justify his false claims, his running mate JD Vance revealed that he should “create stories” and use “cat memes” to draw attention to the “20,000 illegal immigrants” in Springfield. This defense also spreads incorrect information, since the city’s immigrant population It arrived legally and in response to increased demand from workers.. The implication that these stories were fabricated suggests that it was done to instill false feelings of fear.

These lies have harmed the Haitian community as they became a political puppet to discuss immigration. Legal residents report who no longer feel safe venturing into the city and are staying home for fear of discrimination. This demonstrates how political discourse directed at marginalized groups helps create a dangerous cultural climate.

Immigrants are painted not only as unwelcome but also to blame for the problems facing the United States. Trump has consistently singled out immigrants as a group responsible for “poisoning the blood” and “Destroying the fabric of our country..” Furthermore, he characterizes them as “criminals” and “terrorists”.

The chosen terms connote immigrants with active and aggressive roles in the worsening of society. We are in an era of widespread dissatisfaction with the state of our economy and our cultural values. Pointing to ethnic communities as the cause only allows for a further descent into racist rhetoric.

At Trump’s presidential rally on October 28, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe took the stage to endorse the candidate and offer his perspective. His speech was riddled with stereotypical and discriminatory language, but his most egregious comment was calling Puerto Rico a “floating garbage island.”

Although the delivery was disguised as a joke, the comment makes light of the disastrous economic realities that Puerto Ricans experience. This suggests negative opinions about ethnic communities, implying that they originate from wastelands.

Americans’ comfort in letting go of other identities comes from the demonizing discourse of political leaders. The collective comments paint a dangerous picture that attempts to vilify communities, incite fear, strengthen intolerant ideologies and normalize discriminatory behavior.

Perpetuating harmful stereotypes has no place in American politics, and voters should question the integrity of candidates who allow it. Effective leaders work to serve all audiences and address the perspectives they encompass. However, when political discourse makes false claims and encourages prejudice against marginalized identities, it threatens their existence and enters a dangerous realm.