Editorial: A Nation of Immigrants
The history of a country is complex and at times shaped by the present
SPANISH VERSION
The United States was created by immigrants and their descendants. This is a fact, not just a romantic past. It’s a reality of our days, visible in a society that is a melting pot of races, nationalities, customs and religions. The diversity that our immigrants brought is one of the values that make this country great. That diversity deserves to be celebrated this Independence Day.
This year, the Fourth of July arrives amidst a discussion about the comments made by millionaire and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump. He accused the majority of Mexican immigrants of being criminals and rapists. Such outrageous words from a politician are part of a long, unfortunate American history of linking immigrants to crime. Those accusations were made at times against Germans, Italians, Irish, Chinese, Jews and now Mexicans because of Trump.
Numerous academic studies indicate that thinking that immigrants increase crime is a mistake. However, this lie remains alive given the uncertainty of the changes that happen as time goes by. There is a tradition of nativist populism that blames foreigners for all social ills, like Trump did.
The concern with Trump isn’t about his chances of winning. It’s because his hateful speech about immigrants resonates. Although with less colorful words, the legislative majority in Congress has a tone of resentment, particularly toward the undocumented, even if they have American families and have spent a lifetime working in this country.
Independence Day in the U.S. is a celebration of a great country that was built on ambitions of progress, a strength of spirit to reach what seems unreachable, a puritanical work ethic and the value of always seeking something better.These are the values of the immigrants of yesterday and today.
The history of a country is complex and at times shaped by the present. Let’s not let nativist fears define the greatness of this country that was built with everyone’s efforts, despite those fears. The history of America includes a list of individuals who thought like Trump. While they were fearmongering to their own advantage, immigrants were working to become a contributing part of this great nation.
