The immigration rhetoric of the 2024 election threatens to divide American unity

Clara Celedon
| Staff Writer

As the 2024 presidential election cycle approaches its final days and the candidates prepare their closing statements, immigration remains a crucial topic of discussion. America has historically had a diverse population “nation of immigrants.”

Despite promising potential, recent leadership narratives have undermined these qualities by demonizing identities.

The conversation is entering dangerous territory, and voters must consider the discourse chosen to frame the differences in perspective. Recent comments in support of and by candidates have pointed the finger at marginalized communities. They fuel stereotypes that instill fear and mobilize electoral support for policy actions.

In September, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump held their only presidential debate, steering toward immigration. When Trump was asked about his blocking of a bill that would minimize drug trafficking across the border, he deflected. Instead, he chose it spreading false claims about Haitian immigrants and claimed that “people want to take their country back.”

Statements like these suggest that America is a nation reserved for select individuals to the exclusion of others. Immigration policy is relevant and must take into account the possible implications. Language should promote inclusivity, not reinforce in-group/out-group divisions or target identities. In a country characterized by demographic diversity, such divisive rhetoric becomes threatening.

Focusing attention on Springfield, Ohio, Trump further argued that Haitian immigrants are “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats… of the people who live there.” City officials have since has debunked these commentsraising concerns about how marginalized communities are represented and wielded by leaders to advance political agendas.

To justify his false claims, running mate JD Vance revealed that he should “create stories” and use “cat memes” to draw attention to the “20,000 illegal immigrants” in Springfield. This defense also spreads misinformation about the city’s immigrant population arrived legally and in response to increased demand for workers. The implication that these stories were fabricated suggests that this was done to induce false feelings of fear.

These fabrications have harmed the Haitian community by becoming a political puppet in the immigration debate. Report legal residents that they no longer feel safe when they go into the city, and that they stay at home for fear of discrimination. This shows how political discourse that targets marginalized groups helps create a dangerous cultural climate.

Immigrants are portrayed not only as unwelcome, but also as responsible for the problems facing America. Trump has consistently pointed to immigrants as a group responsible for “poison the blood“And”destroying the fabric of our country.” He further characterizes them as “criminals” and “terrorists”.

The terms chosen indicate immigrants with an active and aggressive role in the deteriorating society. We are in an era of widespread dissatisfaction with the state of our economy and cultural values. Pointing to ethnic communities as the cause only enables a further descent into racist rhetoric.

At Trump’s presidential rally on October 28, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe took the stage to support the candidate and offer his perspective. His speech was peppered with stereotypical and discriminatory language, but his most blatant comment was that he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of waste.”

Although the delivery was disguised as a joke, the comment makes light of the disastrous economic reality facing Puerto Ricans. This indicates negative views of ethnic communities, implying that they originate from wastelands.

The ease with which Americans degrade other identities stems from the demonizing discourse of political leaders. The collective comments paint a dangerous picture that seeks to vilify communities, incite fear, reinforce intolerant ideologies and normalize discriminatory behavior.

Perpetuating harmful stereotypes has no place in American politics, and voters should question the integrity of the candidates who enable it. Effective leaders work to serve the entire public and address the perspectives they include. However, when political discourse makes false claims and encourages prejudice against marginalized identities, it threatens their existence and enters a dangerous domain.