The Issue of Immigration in The United States Elections: A Look at Trump-Era
The Issue of Immigration in The United States Elections: A Look at Trump-Era

Author(s): Akın Sağıroğlu, İlhan Aras
Subject(s): Migration Studies, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Migration Series; Climate change; DACA; immigrants; international policy; irregular migration; maritime security; migration policy; refugee crisis; refugee law; refugees; Rohingya; terrorism;
Summary/Abstract: In the 1870-1880s, the main targets of the American people were Chinese immigrants who were a threat to Americans' jobs, wages, and lifestyle. Therefore, the first law enacted to prevent a certain ethnic group in America was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In the following century, there were different migrant targets. In 1942, in the aftermath of the Pearl Harber bombing, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Roosevelt which led to the displacement and detention of more than 110.000 Japanese Americans from 1942 to 1946. Towards the end of the 20th century, Latin Americans and Muslims were more on the agenda. After the September 11 attacks, Muslims were seen as a potential threat to America's security.1 Nearly 150 years later, the same issue has been heavily debated in American politics.

• Details
• Contents