Keeping Racism Alive: The Anti-Immigrant Movement, Politicians and Colorblind Americans

• In Event: International Migration Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 03. Anti-immigrant policies & consequences

Abstract

This paper explores how the colonial trajectory of the United States has shifted between covert and overt racism under the ruse of immigration enforcement. Data for this paper draws from my longitudinal ethnographic study of the Anti-Immigrant Movement 1998-2026, including interviews conducted with anti-immigrant and pro-immigrant activists, as well as an examination of ephemeral and federal archival documents, and limited participant observation. This paper demonstrates the maintenance of racism since 1965, the chipping away of human rights and the enabling of a populist right-wing leader who has openly orchestrated the assault of immigrant communities and people of color.

Author

• Carina A. Bandhauer, Western Connecticut State University