Nativism: the Killer of the American Dream
Nativism refers to a policy or belief that protects or favors the interest of the native population of a country over the interests of immigrants. In the United States, the greatest nativist sentiment emerged with the massive influx of 19th-century European immigrants on the East Coast and the arrival of Chinese immigrants on the West Coast. These immigrants suffered the long and exhausting journey to America with only the American Dream as their inspiration. The American Dream is a symbol of hope for millions of people across the world, promising equal opportunity to whoever may pursue it. However, many immigrants who come to the United States in search of prosperity quickly learn that racism and
…show more content…
The quota allowed entry into the USA for only two percent of the total number of people of each nationality and completely excluded immigrants from Asia. At its roots, the 1924 Immigration Act was established only to preserve the ideal of U.S. homogeneity. Nativism has since inspired similar policy action, the most recent of which includes an attempted ban of refugees to the United States, suggestions of a physical wall, preventing immigrants from Latin America from entering our country, and the removal of legislation that protects the children of illegal immigrants. The Washington Post reports that the current administration's travel ban has denied over 90,000 individuals entry into the United States. America glorifies the wholesome business-oriented, white identity which directly contrasts the reality of immigrants today. America’s aversion to anyone who differs from this ideal has sparked the intense nativism that denies immigrants opportunities that the American Dream is a symbol of. If the American Dream means that everyone has an equal chance in the United States, then it can no longer exist if not everyone is allowed into the United States. Unfairly limiting a single group’s opportunity for success is antithetical to what the American Dream