People belonging to different races come to America to find a safer home and provide better opportunities to their children. This nation, which was built by immigrants, also holds promise of a better future for people around the globe who are fleeing war in their home countries.

But immigration remains a polarizing issue in the United States, dividing people with policies that reek of racism. Most ‘white’ European immigrants find transitioning into an American lifestyle quite smooth and free of obstacles.

Immigrants of color, however, have to go through a complicated process before they can be accepted into this ‘melting pot’ of cultures. Even then, their hope for a sense of belonging often remains unfulfilled. They couldn’t foresee that institutionalized racism would soon derail any expectations they had of the ‘land of the free’.

The following are some ways immigration has affected people of color in the United States:

The Need to Blend in

Over the years, immigrants of color have felt the need to blend in as Americans and subdue their ethnic identity. In the era of Trump, xenophobic slurs and hate speech are becoming more and more common. White supremacists feel a lot freer to engage in hate crimes and subsequently get away with them.

To stay under the radar and protect themselves, people of color are making a conscious choice to act more American. Even after years of living in this country, they still don’t feel like they’re welcome here. This adds a lot of stress to their lives because they feel like no one considers them to be a legal citizen unless they provide proof.

A Sense of Paranoia

Another thing most immigrants have to grow accustomed to is the state of instability. They can’t live without fear of getting deported, even if they’ve acquired citizenship here. They’re spending their lives in constant paranoia ever since the rumors of ICE raids started making the rounds.

The process of relocating to the US permanently can take years and it’s riddled with complications. This adds to their frustration and anxiety because they feel helpless against the system. It significantly affects their mental health and prevents them from carrying on with their lives without fear.

Fear of the Future

Immigrant parents are fearful that systemic racism will hold their kids’ back from getting ahead in their lives and careers. They’re worried that discriminatory practices will take a toll on their mental health and keep them from living a happy and fulfilled life.

The current political climate doesn’t help them either. With Trump’s immigration reforms and incidents of racial profiling on the rise, it’s understandable why they’re scared of the future.

Final Words

Immigrants of color in America are exploited for cheap labor and treated as though they are second class citizens. They feel like outsiders in a country where they’ve spent a huge portion of their lives. As proud citizens of America, we must support immigrants against these unjust policies and help them feel more welcome and safe.