Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Hate: A Journalist’s Call to Action on Immigrant Policies

Dear Editor:

The current presidential candidate is using fear and hate as weapons to silence dissent and undermine the rule of law. This candidate suggests that almost everyone should be viewed as a threat, especially immigrants, whether legal or undocumented, particularly those who are Black or brown or speak with an accent. He paints immigrants as criminals, murderers, rapists, and gang members who come to the United States to rob, pillage, steal jobs, and corrupt elections. However, statistics show that the surge of immigration starting in 2022 has actually helped the U.S. experience more significant economic growth than any other nation post-coronavirus pandemic. Immigrants are projected to boost the U.S. domestic product by $7 trillion over the next decade and contribute around $1 trillion in tax revenues.

Not too long ago, Ronald Reagan expressed a different perspective on newcomers to America, highlighting the nation’s perpetual youth, energy, and innovation due to each new wave of arrivals. Immigrants are not criminals, murderers, or rapists. In fact, violent crimes have decreased by 50%, murders by 30%, and property crimes even more. These individuals come to America with dreams and aspirations, not to cause harm or take things away. Being new to the country and unfamiliar to some does not make them threatening or malicious. It’s time to move past fear and hatred, leaving behind the dark cloud that one candidate has cast over the nation.

Jerry Hanson

Elkhorn