The United States has long been seen as a nation of immigrants, built by those seeking freedom, opportunity and a better life. However, U.S. immigration policy has continuously shifted, reflecting the political and social anxieties of the time.
The first major immigration restrictions came with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese laborers from entering the United States because of fears of job competition.
The Immigration Act of 1924 imposed strict quotas, prioritizing Northern and Western European immigrants while severely limiting those from Asia and Southern and Eastern Europe.
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 marked a turning point, abolishing the restrictive laws and opening doors for more diverse immigration. However, the 9/11 attacks sparked a resurgence of restrictionist policies, with a growing narrative equating immigration with national security threats. The Patriot Act allowed the government to detain and deport immigrants suspected of terrorism without due process, and increased border militarization and government surveillance on immigrant communities.
Today, immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics—so much so that it was a deciding factor for many voters in the 2025 election. Many politicians exploit fear-mongering narratives, portraying immigrants as criminals or economic burdens to justify harsh policies.
For example, President Trump has made many accusatory claims towards immigrants, saying they are increasing the violent crime rate. However, multiple studies, including one from Cato Institute, show that immigrants do not increase local crime rates and are actually less likely to commit crimes than an American citizen.
Despite this, President Trump’s administration has proposed revoking birthright citizenship, expanding ICE’s authority to conduct raids and detain undocumented immigrants and using military funds to fortify the US-Mexican border. Trump has also promised mass deportations; ICE statistics show that by the fourth day of his term, more than 1,000 people were removed or repatriated.
Looking ahead, Trump outlined plans to implement new travel bans on majority-Muslim countries, expand expedited removal procedures, and limit legal immigration pathways like asylum. Critics argue that these policies not only undermine American values but also ignore the long term economic and cultural contributions immigrants make.
