Why is it so hard for societies to welcome immigrants?
Watch these brief videos where Zeke Hernandez discusses the importance of addressing the issue of why welcoming newcomers is so difficult, and what we can do about it.
Key Insights
- Most Americans see immigrants favorably, but a passionate minority strongly dislikes immigrants and drives most of the conversation
- Societies and individuals struggle to accept foreigners for a mix of “natural” and “unnatural” reasons:
- Psychological biases that lead us to favor insiders more than outsiders
- Misinformation: we’re prone to believe false narratives that portray immigrants as threatening, lazy, or different
- The power anti-immigration minority: A small, well organized minority group exploits the psychological biases and pushes misinformation for political gain. They have a disproportionate influence in the public discussion and in the media
- Crowding: The rapid arrival of new people can put pressure on public infrastructure and housing if localities don’t build infrastructure fast enough
- But there are scientifically proven ways to deal with these challenges
- Accurate information leads people to update their incorrect beliefs about immigrants—if it’s presented with compassion for the underlying fears and values people have
- Exposure to immigrants (simply living around foreigners) reduces prejudice over time. People worry about immigrants the most in places with the least foreigners in the population.
Free Download
How To Talk About Immigration
Conversations about immigration can be challenging due to its politicization, leading to avoidance, echo chambers, or confrontations.
This guide offers principles based on expert research and the author’s experiences, aimed at facilitating constructive discussions about immigration.
Prompting Meaningful Dialogue
- What challenges might arise from increased immigration, and how can they be managed?
- How can you overcome the psychological distrust of outsiders and foreigners?
- What kind of media do you rely on when it comes to immigration? What are the editorial and political biases of your sources?
- Can you think of examples where welcoming immigrants has positively impacted your community?
Further reading and research:
Ready to learn more? Access detailed studies, articles, and reports that provide a factual, in-depth look at the contributions and impacts of immigrants in our society.
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