The rise of anti-immigrant sentiment
Brian Sankarsingh wants to speak about immigrants and immigration
I am an immigrant. I am Canadian. I confess that I have not always been proud to be an immigrant – there are connotations of abandonment of one’s home and leaving one’s history behind that used to often plague my mind. However, I’ve always been proud to be Canadian. This is because, in Canada, I found the type of people most like me. People who saw colour but did not assign negative stereotypes to it. People who saw differences in others but celebrated those differences. Of course, there were also people who were racist, but I felt that in Canada they were very much a minority.
What has been concerning to me - especially since Donald Trump has so desensitized and emboldened his base when it comes to hate and hateful rhetoric – is that many Canadians are leaning toward intolerance and hate. There has also been a steep rise in hateful rhetoric against South Asians.
People are resistant to change. It’s natural. Familiarity feels safe, while the unknown can feel like a threat. Nowhere is this more obvious than in discussions about immigration.
You’ve heard the arguments.
“They’re taking our jobs.” “They’re so lazy.”
These statements contradict each other, yet both are common. If immigrants are working hard and filling jobs, they’re not lazy. If they’re lazy, they’re not taking jobs. So, what’s really happening?
One reason people resist immigration is economic anxiety. If jobs feel scarce, it’s easy to see newcomers as competition. But this fear ignores reality. Immigrants often take jobs locals don’t want or create new businesses, generating more employment opportunities. More workers also mean more consumers, which strengthens the economy. Politicians use this fear in different ways. Anti-immigration politicians frame newcomers as a direct threat to job security, blaming them for economic struggles rather than policies that benefit corporations or fail to support workers. Pro-immigration politicians, on the other hand, emphasize the economic benefits of a larger workforce and the contributions immigrants make to innovation and industry. Both sides tap into economic concerns, but one fuels fear while the other promotes inclusion.
Change can be uncomfortable, especially when it affects culture. Some fear that immigration dilutes traditions or values. But cultures have always evolved. The food you eat, the music you enjoy, and even the language you speak have been influenced by past waves of immigration. Embracing change doesn’t mean losing identity—it means expanding it. Politicians use cultural fears to rally support. Anti-immigration leaders warn of "losing our way of life" or "being replaced," playing into anxieties about national identity. Meanwhile, pro-immigration politicians highlight how diversity enriches society, pointing to cultural innovations and historical examples of successful integration. Both sides frame the debate to appeal to emotional rather than factual perspectives.
Some worry that immigration leads to increased crime or instability. But studies consistently show no direct link between immigration and higher crime rates. In fact, immigrants are often less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. Fear thrives on perception, not facts. Politicians often exploit security concerns to gain political leverage. Anti-immigration figures highlight isolated incidents of crime committed by immigrants to push for stricter border controls and harsher policies. They use fear to justify surveillance, deportations, and restrictions. On the other hand, pro-immigration politicians stress that strict vetting already exists and argue that communities are safer when immigrants are integrated rather than marginalized. The security debate is less about facts and more about how fear is used to shape policy.
Many developed nations have aging populations and shrinking workforces. Immigration helps sustain economies by providing workers, caregivers, and taxpayers. We know that Immigrants bring fresh ideas and diverse perspectives, fueling creativity and economic growth. In fact, countries that embrace diversity tend to be more resilient, adaptable, and globally competitive. A country that welcomes immigration positions itself as open, progressive, and forward-thinking. This strengthens diplomatic ties, attracts international investment, and increases cultural and economic influence on the world stage. Nations that attract skilled and motivated workers maintain an edge in science, technology, and business. The most influential economies are those that leverage the talents of a diverse workforce. Providing refuge and opportunity to those seeking a better life upholds humanitarian values. Countries that take a leadership role in immigration are seen as global role models in human rights and international cooperation.
Over the past few months, Canada has watched the dumpster fire that is happening to our neighbours to the South. Undoubtedly their “immigrants are bad” policy by the new administration might seem attractive to some Canadians. This means Canadians must remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that this and other negative policy changes being enacted in the United States does not make their way north of the border. Undeniably, resistance to change is human, but history shows that societies that adapt and welcome new people don’t just survive—they thrive.
Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is a two-time award-winning poet and author. He is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.
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