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-Editorial
With the 2024 elections in full swing, anti-immigrant rhetoric is growing increasingly ugly, with elected officials from former President Trump to down-ballot candidates referring to immigrants as criminals, mentally ill, and “garbage.” This political hate- speech has real-world consequences, fueling racial and ethnic tensions and spreading fear, pain, and anger in migrant communities including among those whose job it is to ensure there is food on Americans’ tables day in and day out.
In this briefing by Ethnic Media Services, sociologist-journalist, organizers, and farmworkers about the impact that anti-immigrant rhetoric is having on migrant workers, especially in California which has the largest population of migrant workers in the US.
Manuel Ortiz Escámez, a prominent sociologist and co-founder of Peninsula 360 in Redwood City, California, has expressed grave concerns about the current state of U.S. politics. In a recent discussion, Ortiz examined the shift towards openly racist rhetoric and its implications for American society.
Drawing on the work of Samuel P. Huntington, Ortiz highlighted the former scholar’s notion of cultural enemies. “Huntington’s enemies were those who did not fit into his narrow view of what it means to be American—primarily non-Protestants and those from outside the British cultural sphere,” Ortiz Escámez explained. He contrasted this with the current political climate, asserting that the rhetoric of Donald Trump represents a more explicit and dangerous form of racism.
“Huntington was an academic and his ideas were masked in theoretical frameworks,” Ortiz noted. “Trump’s approach, however, has stripped away these masks, normalizing overt racism and setting a dangerous precedent for societal norms.”
Ortiz warned that a second term for Trump could lead the country toward a fascist regime, where immigrants and dissenters are targeted. He stressed that this shift could have broader implications, affecting anyone who questions the prevailing power structures.
Reflecting on his recent focus group with women in a remote California town, Ortiz shared that the current political climate has heightened anxiety and fear among migrants. “Many are avoiding necessary public services due to fear of being labeled a public charge,” he said. “Moreover, children have suffered bullying in schools, driven by the rhetoric of exclusion and deportation.”
Ortiz concluded by noting a troubling trend among some youths who, despite being victims of bullying, now support Trump to fit in with the prevailing societal attitudes. This, he argues, underscores the profound impact of political rhetoric on individual identity and societal cohesion.
Gustavo Gasca Gomez, Coordinator of the Stop the Hate Project and Immigration Outreach Specialist with the Education and Leadership Foundation Program, has passionately addressed the growing concerns within immigrant communities across California.
In a recent statement, Gasca Gomez emphasized the vital role of his nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(3) based in Fresno, which aims to support first-generation children of immigrants by connecting them to higher education and immigration services. “We are dedicated to empowering immigrant communities who have been affected by discrimination and instances of hate,” he stated.
Gasca Gomez, a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), shared his struggles as an undocumented individual. “While DACA has provided some benefits, it is a mere fraction of the full status many of us seek,” he explained. “I live with the constant fear and limitations that come with not being a permanent resident or citizen.”
He highlighted the anxiety among farmworkers and their families, who are deeply impacted by recent political rhetoric and policies. “Our community faces heightened fears of deportation and restricted access to essential services,” Gasca Gomez noted. “These concerns are exacerbated by misunderstandings about public charge rules and their implications.”
Reflecting on his past experiences as a farmworker, Gasca Gomez underscored the significant contributions of immigrants to the agricultural sector and the broader community. “The work is arduous and often overlooked, but it is crucial for the sustenance of our nation,” he said.
Arcenio Lopez, Executive Director of the Mixtec Indigenous Community Organizing Project (MICOP), spoke passionately about the challenges facing indigenous migrant communities at a recent community event.
Lopez, whose organization has expanded its reach to three counties, including Santa Barbara, emphasized the deep-rooted issues of racism and discrimination that affect indigenous populations. “We are primarily working with indigenous migrant communities from Mexico, and it is crucial to understand that these issues are not just recent; they are historical,” Lopez explained.
Lopez criticized the use of derogatory terms and hate speech, noting their impact on both individuals and communities. He highlighted how these harmful words can perpetuate racism and further oppress indigenous people. “This kind of rhetoric not only harms individuals but also enables systemic oppression,” he stated.
He also addressed the misuse of terms like “immigrant” versus “migrant,” arguing that Indigenous people have been displaced due to historical and ongoing exploitation. “We, as indigenous people of the Americas, are not immigrants; we are from this continent. The borders that have been created were designed to divide and control,” Lopez said.
Lopez called for a reevaluation of the narrative surrounding migration and emphasized the need for solidarity and continued advocacy. “We need to challenge the narratives that dehumanize people and instead focus on addressing the root causes of migration, which are often linked to exploitation and external pressures,” he urged.
