Making America Great Again: Immigration Control Rises as American Patriotism Plummets

Mallory Wilson, Guest Writer from Global Human Rights Advocacy 

Note: This article was written by a student of Dr. Meghan Cohen, in the class, Global Human Rights Advocacy. The Highlander is proud to serve as a platform for guest contributions and encourages collaboration between our community and our publication. 

“Make America Great Again”, he enthusiastically shouts to a large group of people attending his patriotic rally, many of whom are wearing merchandise proudly promoting the same slogan. The well-known catchphrase originally appeared in Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. It has now engulfed American politics and will likely remain a long-lasting mantra associated with either a promise for stability, or a blatant display of exclusion. But regardless of what is associated with this infamous phrase, what exactly is the 47th president of the United States referring to when he uses the term, “again” in his trademark? When was America “great”? Surely not during the 50s and 60s when Jim Crow laws were implemented and thriving, or when Native Americans were unjustly displaced throughout the mid-1800s. Furthermore, to question the notorious catchline, who exactly was America great for? America wasn’t “great” for women in the early years, as they weren’t permitted to vote until 1920. America certainly wasn't “great” for the queer community, as the Stonewall Riots occurred as recently as 1969. And “great” can absolutely not describe the current treatment of immigrants in a country that claims to be an inclusive melting pot where all are promised a new life no matter race, religion, or origin. 

According to the American Immigration Council, since 1965, over 70 million immigrants have moved to America and as of January 2025, 53.3 million immigrants currently call the United States home. This was the largest number ever recorded. Immigration has historically benefited America economically and culturally. People arriving in the U.S. bring innovation, fill essential workforce needs, promote family unity; all of which, according to the current president, are core principles of American values. Many immigrants go on to experience the tedious process of becoming a U.S. citizen, as America has traditionally encouraged immigrants to leave their own country to create a better life in a place that promises them just that. Historically, immigrants have proven to contribute exponentially to the U.S.’s workforce and economy. In 2023 alone, immigrants generated about $1.7 trillion in economic activity and paid roughly $652 billion in local, state, and federal taxes, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Immigrants bring unique skill sets and educational backgrounds, complimenting U.S. workers as opposed to threatening their positions. With immigration comes innovation, the creation of jobs, and consumerism that drives the economy and creates employment opportunities for all Americans. 

While immigration is certainly beneficial for the U.S. economically, it is also the only way to a better life for a lot of families. A common misconception for many American citizens is that immigrants come to their country to spread crime and steal jobs. However, research shows that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crime than the U.S. born at a national, state, and county level. In fact, a research report from Harvard University proves the claim that immigrants skyrocket crime rates hasn’t been true in America for the last 140 years. So why do immigrants come to America? In 2024, there were over 100,000 cases of asylum-seeking immigrants, and that number only includes those who went through the official asylum application process, says Docketwise. Many immigrants are fleeing from persecution often based on political opinion or association with a particular social group. Asylum seeking reflects humanitarian needs in countries that need policy shifting and evolving legal systems. Contrary to popular belief, immigrants come to America enticed by possibility, not to raise crime rates. 

In January 2025, the United States swore in a new president to office, and based strictly on statistical evidence, the word “great” is not a fitting adjective to describe the current state of America. At the beginning of Donald Trump’s term, GovFacts reported 40,000 people being held in detention centers. By December of the same year, this number had risen by almost 75%. While immigration detention centers were not normalized until the mid-90s, it is on track that by the end of Trump’s second term, the centers might rival the entire federal criminal prison system. Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there has been a significant increase in funding for expansion of immigration control, resulting in nearly $15 billion per year to use on immigration detention (HHRG-118-JU01-20240111-SD012). A portion of money that large could go to public education, healthcare access, climate resilience, gun reform, and affordable housing, rather than the separation and imprisonment of people simply searching for security. There is no reason a country should be building walls while thousands are living under bridges. So, what does “greatness” look like in a country that is so divided? Greatness is not built through walls and detention centers. Greatness is built through resilience and expanded compassion. Greatness in a country looks like abolishing slavery, granting women equality, and recognizing civil rights. It does not look like governmental exclusion of human races due to where they come from. America is “great” when inclusion is chosen over isolation. Immigrants are not a threat to America’s greatness, rather they are evidence of it.