The anti-immigrant rhetoric and senseless policies frantically coming from the White House have generated disappointment and fear among immigrants. But this bombastic display of ignorance and hatred by the executive office has not succeeded in erasing the fact that we are a nation of immigrants. Immigration is part of the DNA of the United States, and most Americans know it.
According to a recent survey, more than half of Americans (59%) disapprove of President Donald Trump’s general handling of the immigration issue. Among men, 51% disapprove of how he has handled the immigration issue, while among women the disapproval rating is 67%.
Only one segment of the population approves of the president’s handling of immigration: whites without a college degree, 56% percent of whom agree with him. In contrast, 68% of whites with a college degree disapprove of the president’s handling of this issue.
This poll, which was published on July 6, was conducted by The Washington Post and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University in Virginia.
Other findings
The data not only gave a general view on the issue of immigration, but also addressed specific policies that Americans support. For example, 81% of respondents believe that a path to citizenship should be given to immigrants already living in United States who have no criminal record. In addition, 84% support the legalization of young people covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Sixty-one percent oppose the proposal of limiting the legal immigration of relatives of U.S. citizens, which Trump maliciously calls “chain migration” but which the law recognizes as the principle of “family reunification.”
More than half of the respondents (55%) oppose the construction of a wall on the border.
When asked: “Do you think welcoming immigrants has been (mainly good) or (mainly bad) for the country?” only 11% answered mainly bad.
Seven out of ten respondents (69%) oppose Trump’s policy of separating immigrant children from their families at the border. Sadly, about 6 out of 10 of the respondents who identified as Republican supported this measure, which was ultimately partially retracted by the president.
In another poll by Quinnipiac University, 58% of U.S. voters said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of immigration issues.
According to this poll, nearly half of voters (44%) said they believe that Trump’s immigration policies are primarily motivated by “racist beliefs.”
A silent majority
If most of the population supports sensible and humane policies in favor of immigrants, and a large part of the population opposes Trump’s cruel immigration practices, then why does this feeling of persecution prevail?
The reality is that Trump’s followers, although they are not the majority, are very active and do not remain silent. Therefore, this motivates the administration to continue pushing cruel practices against immigrants, who are presented as a “threat.”
Will we remain idle while we passively contemplate how entire families are being cruelly separated for no reason? You can add light in the midst of the dark anti-immigrant rhetoric. Share your story and educate your neighbors, your peers, and your church. Most importantly motivate yourself and others to turn out for the November elections, and vote for candidates who defend our historical values, which include being a nation of immigrants.