I still remember the conversation like it was yesterday. Over coffee, a friend (an immigrant like me) shocked me with a statement: “I actually think immigration policies should be stricter.” At first, I thought I’d misheard. But the more I listened, the more I realized her perspective was rooted in something deeper than just politics. It was fear; the kind of fear that comes from trying to protect the life she had worked so hard to build.
“I struggled to get here,” my friend explained. “I worked for this life. It’s not fair if someone just bypasses all of that.”
This idea isn’t unique to my friend. Across the world, you’ll find immigrants who stand against immigration. It feels contradictory, doesn’t it? How could someone who’s walked the same path turn around and try to close it off? But the answer isn’t simple; it’s layered with history, identity, and survival.
When you’ve gone through the trials of migration firsthand, you understand the cost. It’s not just about packing up and moving; it’s about proving your life piece by piece. The endless paperwork, the screenings… where you were born, your family, your friends, even where your children went to school. There are interviews, background checks, and for some, leaving behind a house, possessions, and everything familiar. And then there’s the emotional toll: adjusting to a new culture, sometimes learning a new language, and always finding a way to start fresh. It’s not easy, but for many, it’s a sacrifice they’re willing to make in the hope of a better future.
History Repeats Itself
If this feels familiar, it’s because it’s happened before. In the late 1800s, Irish immigrants in America worried about Italians arriving en masse. Italians, once settled, bristled at Eastern Europeans coming after them. Every wave of migrants has faced resistance; not just from native-born citizens but from those who came before them.
Today, we see it in many forms. In Europe, immigrants who have been settled for years advocate for tougher policies, worried about resources and integration. In the United States, Latino immigrants sometimes back strict border controls, aligning with policies that, ironically, would have once kept them out.
On the surface, this resistance might seem understandable. After all, they’ve experienced the challenges firsthand. But it creates a dangerous cycle. Turning shared struggles into walls instead of bridges. Focusing solely on protecting what you’ve built ignores the bigger picture: the forces driving migration, like poverty, conflict, and inequality.
And more than that, it risks alienating communities that need to work together. When immigrants fight against immigration, they reinforce the very narratives they once fought to overcome.
Shared Stories, Shared Humanity
At its core, migration is a human story; a search for safety, opportunity, and a place to call home. While those who are already settled may have their fears, the dreams and hopes of those seeking a fresh start are just as real.
