One of the hallmarks of the American identity is its diversity—a trait forged through the integration of millions of immigrants since the nation’s founding. And yet, there’s an intrinsic irony to it all.

The United States is renowned for the American Dream—a promise of a better future regardless of your ethnicity or socioeconomic status—but this paragon of “opportunity” has continuously rejected those who pursued it. 

This year, news coverage across the ideological spectrum has been filled with chilling tales of executive overreach. ICE has raided warehouses of businesses across the country. Children have been separated from their families and even placed in custody. Even American citizens have been wrongly detained by the Trump administration and denied due process. These recent mass deportations are just one of the many perils plaguing the ideals of the American Dream. 

In light of these events, immigration has—perhaps more than ever—become a major point of contention nationwide, sparking debates and even resistance. But unbeknownst to many, immigration and deportation have been contested historical recurrences in the US since its founding—a perfect exemplification of the mantra history repeats itself. However, this chapter of history has long been forgotten, buried deep under the rubble of the American Dream.

The controversy of immigration would begin in colonial America—a society that embodied the rich cultures of Europe, and the genesis of new diasporas. Dispersed from New England to the Carolinas were settlers from Germany, England, and beyond, but beneath this imagery of a haven for the persecuted, a spark of animosity lingered amongst this diverse population, waiting for a spark to ignite its hatred.

As the bitter winds of winter dwindled, the vibrant reverdie of spring swept across the West, but an onslaught of war followed suit. Conflict and revolution raged throughout Europe, and consequently, tens of thousands fled to the US seeking refuge. However, these immigrants weren’t welcomed; instead, they would come to be perceived as threats.

In 1798, the US stood at the brink of war with France, and as tensions heightened, the Federalist-controlled government feared for the safety of the newly emerged US. Criticism from their rivals, the Democratic-Republicans, and the onslaught of immigrants arriving in the US, were perceived as threats to national security. The party feared indoctrination, and to exacerbate their fears, the Democratic-Republican Party found avid support from the new immigrants, particularly the French.

Merely 22 years after the founding of the US, the first acts concerning deportation and immigration were passed: the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. This series of four acts bestowed upon the President the power to deport foreigners deemed “dangerous”, and the Sedition Act criminalized the publication of “false, scandalous, and malicious” statements defaming the government. In the event of a “declared war…or any invasion or predatory incursion…,” the government could deport, arrest, or detain so-called “enemy aliens.”

Vehement opposition arose from the Democratic-Republicans, who viewed these acts as a blatant abuse of federal power weaponized against civil liberties. In response, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison published the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which declared the acts unconstitutional and further asserted the principles of state sovereignty. Further repercussions emerged as the Federalists faced growing backlash from the general public, consequently leading to a Democratic-Republican victory in the election of 1800. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 would be repealed or simply forgotten. 

As these acts dwindled into irrelevance, the scornful gaze of American society would direct itself west, towards the many developing Chinatowns. 

With the dawn of the 20th century, an era of unease, along with political, social, and economic tensions, would provide the perfect environment for the development of further restrictive immigration strategies. 

As WWI raged on, a sense of apprehension regarding national security grew—the perfect political climate to pass the Immigration Act of 1917 (Johnson-Reed Act). This act established 2 new limitations: literacy tests and the “Asiatic Barred Zone.” Essentially, the act enforced a complete ban on immigration from Asian countries, excluding the Philippines and Japan, and mandated basic reading comprehension in any language for immigrants 16 or older. 

Seven years later, the Immigration Act of 1924 expanded upon the provisions of the previous act, whilst adding a new element: a quota system. The nature of this quota system heavily favored northern and western Europeans in comparison to other nationalities. Additionally, the 1924 Act would include Japan in the Asiatic Barred Zone. Ultimately, these acts aimed to promote homogeneity in the nation. 

Prior to the early 20th century, the primary focus of immigration control had been centered on the influx of Asian immigrants; however, a new group would begin to bear the burden: Mexican immigrants. To restrict the flow of immigration via the US-Mexico border,  Congress passed the Undesirable Aliens Act, transforming illegal immigration into a federal crime.

As the government scrambled to restrict the flow of immigration into the country, another issue arose concerning deportation. The process of formal deportation was slow, expensive, and often chaotic—the solution? Voluntary departure. When a non-citizen was detained or arrested, rather than undergoing the arduous legal processes, they were offered the option to deport themselves voluntarily. This system was efficient, cheap, and left no records behind. 

All of these factors, combined with the formation of the Border Patrol, instituted the first attempt at mass deportation by the US. 

The melodic hum of music dances through the air as you navigate your way through La Placita, LA. You immerse yourself in the festivities, wandering through the heart of Mexican Los Angeles; this vibrant cultural hub leaves no room for boredom. Once you’ve finished, you make your way to the exit, but before you’re able to take another step, you are suddenly surrounded by several men in olive uniforms wielding guns and batons—Border Patrol. 

Everyone—all 400 people—is instructed to line up and present their papers. In the end, dozens were arrested and several deported. The La Placita Raid would be one of the many that occurred during the Great Depression. 

In times of crisis, it’s natural to seek a scapegoat; in the 1930s, the sacrificial lambs were the Mexican immigrants. As unemployment and food shortages swept across the country, blame was increasingly placed on Mexican immigrants on the premise of robbing “real” Americans of resources and employment. As bitterness escalated to action, a series of raids flooded the country.

While it’s estimated that 44,000 people were prosecuted under Section 1325, a majority of the raids were informal, lacking due process. These informal raids weaponized coercive methods to induce hundreds of thousands of immigrants to voluntarily deport themselves. In total, it’s estimated that 2 million people of Mexican heritage were forcibly removed, with 1.2 million having been born in the US; many were unable to ever return to their birthplace. California alone deported about 400,000 American citizens and legal residents without their promised rights to due process and equal protection of the law.  

In 1965, Congress would pass the Hart-Celler Act (also known as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965), easing several longstanding restrictions on immigration. The quota system was lifted, replaced with a new method that prioritized skilled immigrants and familial relations. Through the family reunification clause, immigration for those with family already in the US was made far easier. 

From the 80s to modern times, additional acts have been passed to shape the immigration process. These include the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Immigration Act, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, the Secure Fence Act, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive action.

You’ve now read it all—the history, and more importantly, the cruelty. You’ve seen how time and time again, our society has only viewed immigrants as a tool, discarding them when we see fit. Immigration is an issue that ebbs and flows as our economy, politics, and culture shift throughout the decades. It’s an issue that should be approached with nuance, and most importantly, humanity, but we’ve failed to recognize this—even now. 

During this time of economic instability and political unrest, we’ve once again condemned America’s favorite scapegoat: immigrants. Examine Trump’s recent executive orders and actions regarding deportation. Isn’t there a strange sense of deja vu? His mass raids, fear-mongering, and his many wrongful deportations—mistakes at the expense of several American citizens—are all reminiscent of the past.

The history of immigration gives us the greatest insight into the paradoxical nature of the American Dream. These immigrants—illegal or legal—followed the promise that merit and diligence would lead them to a better life. Still, time and time again, just the mere status of being an immigrant is a crippling force in their pursuit of upward mobility. We, the people, have rejected their pursuit of happiness, branding them as thieves and an “alien” race—truly ironic.