ImmigrationExtreme anti-immigrant views are now part of the mainstream political debate

Extreme anti-immigrant views have gained legitimacy and become part of the mainstream political debate over the past ten years through a concerted push by anti-immigrant groups and political figures, including President Trump, using stereotypes and outright bigotry to blame immigrants for various problems in America. That’s the conclusion of a new report by the ADL that examines how extreme views on immigrants and refugees have moved from the margins to being a centerpiece of the U.S. political debate.

The report, Mainstreaming Hate: The Anti-Immigrant Movement in the U.S., takes a close look at those who have pushed anti-immigrant views from the fringes into the mainstream and how they have done it. “During the last two years in particular, an administration that demonizes immigrants and those seeking refuge and focused on hardline immigration policies and executive action has galvanized the anti-immigrant movement,” the report said. 

ADL says that the study follows the president’s attempt to stoke fears about a caravan of migrants as they were headed toward the U.S. southern border and fresh FBI data showing an escalation in hate crimes, including a 24 percent rise last year in attacks against Latinos, the target of most anti-immigrant bigotry.

“Sadly, it’s plain for all to see that extreme anti-immigrant ideas are a common feature in our political discourse,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL’s CEO and National Director. “We must take steps to remove this anti-immigrant ideology and xenophobia, and act on the U.S.’s longstanding belief that America is stronger as a pluralistic society that welcomes immigrants.”

As one example of how anti-immigrant views have been elevated, the report points out that activist groups have used theories and conspiracies to paint immigrants as outsiders who are planning to “invade” the country and take it over, or that they are sympathetic to terrorists or taking jobs from Americans. Groups like FAIR (Federation for Immigration Reform), the Center for Immigration Studies, NumbersUSA and the Remembrance Project and their members play a major role in promoting divisive, dangerous rhetoric and views that demonize immigrants while using stereotypes, conspiracy theories and outright bigotry to disparage immigrants and hold them responsible for a number of societal ills.