Fanning the Ember of America's Anti-Immigrant Tradition: Trump and Vance's Losing Strategy

In September 2023, I wrote an article titled "Immigration: Striking a Balance Between Empathy and Pragmatism," where I expressed concern about the potential impact of immigration on the upcoming election cycle. I noted, "The immigration and asylum policies are poised to be pivotal in the upcoming election cycle, influencing debates and voter preferences at both the local and federal levels." Little did I know how prescient these words would prove to be?

As I anticipated, immigration has indeed become a central issue in the 2024 campaign. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are now using false claims about Haitian immigrants to distract from their lack of a vision for the future. During a debate with Vice President Harris, "Trump falsely accuses Haitian immigrants in Ohio of abducting and eating pets." This baseless accusation is just the latest chapter in Trump's long history of anti-immigrant sentiment—a strategy that has worked for him in the past but ultimately a losing one, as history has shown.

For many, this anti-Haitian, but more broadly anti-Black/Hispanic/Asian, experience feels like a painful repetition of the racism and xenophobia we faced during the 1980s. For first- and second-generation Haitian-Americans, this must be disorienting. For the new immigrants who are targeted and experiencing this aspect of America, this moment is undoubtedly frightening. However, it is important to highlight another part of the story: amidst the hostility, there are fellow Americans—like those in Springfield, Ohio—who stand with us in solidarity.

Throughout American history, immigrants have been both celebrated and scapegoated, with each new wave of newcomers facing prejudice and fear. From the Irish and Chinese in the 19th century to Italians and Jews in the early 20th century, and now Haitians, immigrants have often been easy targets for blame. Yet, despite these challenges, each generation of immigrants has enriched the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the United States, helping to shape the diverse and resilient nation we know today. A powerful example of this contribution is that Haitian-American, Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, is in charge of prosecuting the man who attempted to assassinate Trump.

This article aims to shed light on such positive examples while placing the current anti-immigrant rhetoric in the broader historical context of America's long and complex relationship with immigration.

A Long History of Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

The fear of immigrants has been a recurring theme in American history, with each new wave of immigrants facing hostility and discrimination:

• German Immigrants (1770s-1800s): Benjamin Franklin feared Germans would not assimilate, writing, "A Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them." In 1751, he further asked, "Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens... who will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion?"
• Irish Immigrants (1840s-1850s): Fleeing famine, the Irish faced hostility from the Know Nothing party. Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments fueled groups like the nativist American Party, which fought foreign influences and promoted "traditional American ideals."
• Chinese Immigrants (1880s): Racism against the Chinese led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the first U.S. law targeting a specific ethnic group. Senator John Franklin Miller argued, "If we continue to permit the introduction of this strange people... what is to be the effect upon the American people and Anglo-Saxon civilization?"
• Italian Immigrants (1890s-1920s): Italians were often labeled criminals and anarchists. Pseudo-scientific theories claimed "'Mediterranean' types were inherently inferior to people of northern European heritage."
• Jewish Immigrants (Late 1800s-Early 1900s): Jewish refugees faced anti-Semitic sentiment and quotas. Events like the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting reflect ongoing hostility. During the Civil War, General Ulysses S. Grant’s Order No. 11 banned Jews from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, later rescinded by President Lincoln.

Today, Haitian immigrants face similar tactics. As a Haitian-American, I see echoes of past prejudices but also the resilience of immigrant communities. This historical pattern demonstrates that anti-immigrant rhetoric, while temporarily effective in stirring up fear, ultimately fails as immigrants integrate and contribute to American society.

Immigrants Fueling America's Success

While some politicians stoke fears about immigration, the truth is immigrants have been vital to America's success. Economist Rebecca Diamond and a team of researchers found that "Between 1990 and 2016, immigrants made up 16% of inventors but were responsible for 23% of U.S. patents."

As I noted in my earlier article, "Today, more than ever, immigration can be a solution to the biggest challenges facing the American economy." In a commentary piece "Immigration as an engine for reviving the middle class in midsized cities" published by the Brookings Institute, the authors highlight that the cities with the fastest growing immigrant populations over the period 2010 to 2019 were all medium-sized cities with thriving economies, led by Charleston (SC), Des Moines (IA), Louisville (KY), Columbus (OH), and Nashville (TN). In many of these cases, immigrants reversed long-standing population declines. More importantly, immigrants' high rates of entrepreneurship and labor force participation helped boost local economies that had been stagnant for decades.

These facts directly contradict the narrative pushed by anti-immigrant politicians, showing that immigrants contribute significantly to America's economic growth and innovation.

The Paradox of American Identity

As a Haitian-American, and like every American, I embrace and embody the unique capacity to hold an identity that spans multiple cultural backgrounds. One can be from England, Nigeria, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Egypt, India, Mexico, China, Ukraine, Haiti, or Slovenia, like Melania Trump, and still be fully American. Our nation's strength lies in its diversity and that is the beauty of America.

Yet, America is paradoxical: a country built by immigrants but one that periodically turns against itself. Throughout history, waves of nativism have risen, creating an "us versus them" mentality, fueled by fear of difference rather than celebration of diversity. This fear has resurfaced with Haitian immigrants becoming the latest scapegoat for the Trump-Vance campaign.

However, not everyone falls prey to divisive rhetoric. In Springfield, Ohio, officials and community members have stood with the Haitian community against false accusations. The Episcopal Migration Ministries have provided support, and Ohio residents have embraced Haitian-owned businesses. Erika Lee, who started the rumor about Haitian immigrants eating pets, has since admitted her claims were false. Though the damage was done, her acknowledgment reflects the deeper truth about America: the capacity for individuals to admit wrongdoing and seek reconciliation.

Similarly, in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, many residents and faith leaders have stood by their Haitian neighbors. Mayor Michael Krzyzanowski stated, "These are good people, contributing to our town. We must stand with them against false accusations and fear-mongering."

A More Perfect Union

In my September article, I argued that as progressives, we must hold on to our values of compassion, justice, and equality while also being realistic about the immigration challenges. Understanding immigration’s broader benefits doesn’t alleviate the immediate concerns many Americans feel. These concerns do not make everybody racist or xenophobic. We must tackle disinformation, promote our shared immigrant story – we are all from somewhere else –and promote the narrative that immigrants aren’t taking opportunities but creating them. Simultaneously, we must address the root causes of economic inequality, housing shortages, and educational access.

As we face another wave of anti-immigrant sentiment, we have to remember that the work to create a "more perfect union" is ongoing. Although the framers of the Constitution certainly did not envision a nation as diverse as ours, today we have the opportunity and responsibility to redefine that vision. It is up to us to shape a union that recognizes the contributions of all its members, whether they’ve been in the country for a couple of centuries or a couple of months. Whether your family arrived on the Mayflower, walked across the Rio Grande, or took a flight to JFK, you are part of what makes America great – not great again - just plain great for the dreams that become reality here. Our nation's future, as it always has been, lies in our diversity, innovation, and shared pursuit of a more inclusive society.

Trump and Vance’s strategy of fanning the ember of America’s anti-immigrant tradition is ultimately a losing one. The response of the people of Springfield and Charleroi is the story of a different America. This is the story we must lean into during this election as we fight for our shared humanity as Americans. More importantly, Trump and Vance’s narrative goes against the tide of American history, which shows that despite initial resistance, immigrants have and will always be integrated into and strengthened the fabric of our nation. By embracing our American immigrant heritage, we can build a stronger, more perfect union and united America that truly lives up to its ideals.