Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Deportation Push: Why Anti-Immigrant Sentiment is Surging

America, a nation built on the dreams of immigrants, is grappling with a troubling surge in anti-immigrant sentiment. This complex issue weaves together political rhetoric, economic fears, and societal anxieties, echoing historical cycles of nativism like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in July 2025, allowing the Trump administration to deport immigrants to third countries like South Sudan, has intensified this debate, raising humanitarian concerns while reinforcing restrictive policies. Meanwhile, immigrant-background politicians like Ilhan Omar and Zohran Mamdani contribute significantly to public life, yet face xenophobic backlash. A symbolic gesture from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, presenting Donald Trump with his grandfather’s birth certificate, underscores the irony of anti-immigrant policies from a leader with immigrant roots.

Political Rhetoric: Fueling Division

Political rhetoric has been a powerful driver of anti-immigrant sentiment. During his presidencies (2017–2021 and 2025–present), Donald Trump has often portrayed immigrants as threats, using phrases like “migrant invasion” and claiming undocumented immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country” LULAC, 2024. A 2021 report highlighted that one in five Republican campaign ads in March 2022 focused on the “Biden-Harris border crisis,” amplifying negative perceptions The Immigration Hub, 2021.

A 2024 Gallup poll reveals a significant shift in public opinion: 55% of Americans now favor reducing immigration levels, up from 28% in 2020, with 88% of Republicans, 50% of Independents, and 28% of Democrats supporting this view Gallup, 2024. Support for restrictive measures, such as increased border patrols (76%), temporary asylum pauses (63%), and border walls (53%), reflects a growing public appetite for control, often driven by fear-based narratives.

Supreme Court’s Deportation Ruling

In July 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to deport eight men to South Sudan, overriding a lower court’s requirement that the government prove deportees would not face torture or death The Guardian, 2025. These men, from countries including Vietnam, South Korea, and Mexico, were held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti under harsh conditions, facing risks like malaria and militant attacks. The decision, opposed by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who warned of potential torture or death, highlights the administration’s aggressive immigration stance and raises ethical questions about deporting individuals to conflict-ridden regions The Guardian, 2025. This ruling reinforces narratives framing immigrants as security risks, further fueling public hostility.

Economic Anxieties

Economic insecurities play a significant role in anti-immigrant sentiment. Post-pandemic challenges, including inflation and job market uncertainties, have fostered a “scarcity mindset,” with 39% of Americans in 2023 believing immigrants negatively impact the economy, up from 31% pre-pandemic Gallup, 2023. Despite studies showing immigrants fill labor shortages and drive innovation, public perception often diverges from reality, especially during economic downturns like the Great Recession The Pardee Atlas Journal, 2025.

Law and Order Concerns

Concerns about public safety and border security also contribute. A surge in border crossings post-pandemic has been linked in some media and political narratives to increased crime, though academic findings on this connection are mixed. A 2024 Gallup poll found 48% of Americans worry “a great deal” about illegal immigration, up from 32% in 2020 Gallup, 2024. These fears, amplified by rhetoric conflating immigration with societal disorder, create a climate of suspicion.

Historical Parallels

Anti-immigrant sentiment is not new. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924 reflect historical nativism driven by fears of cultural or economic competition The Pardee Atlas Journal, 2025. These cycles suggest that current trends are part of a broader pattern, often exacerbated by crises.

Immigrant Politicians: Voices of Diversity

Immigrants and their descendants have significantly shaped American politics. The 118th Congress includes at least 81 members (15%) who are foreign-born or have an immigrant parent, representing diverse origins from Central America to Asia Pew Research Center, 2023. Below is a table of notable current politicians with immigrant backgrounds:

These leaders face unique challenges. Ilhan Omar, for instance, endures xenophobic attacks but persists in advocating for inclusive policies. Ted Cruz, conversely, supports restrictive immigration measures, illustrating the diverse perspectives among immigrant-background politicians.

The German Chancellor’s Symbolic Gesture

On June 5, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented President Trump with a gold-framed copy of his grandfather Friedrich Trump’s birth certificate during a White House meeting. Friedrich Trump, born in Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869, immigrated to the U.S. in 1885, laying the foundation for the Trump family’s legacy FOX 5 DC, 2025. Accompanied by the book News from the Land of Freedom – German Immigrants Write Home, the gesture highlighted the shared immigrant experience India Today, 2025.

Trump called the gift “fantastic” and “seriously German,” planning to display it in the Oval Office Hindustan Times, 2025. This act, widely seen as a subtle critique, contrasts with Trump’s policies, such as mass deportation plans and attempts to repeal birthright citizenship SPLC, 2025. It prompts reflection on the irony of a leader with immigrant roots championing exclusionary measures.

Hatred Politics: Trump vs. Mamdani

The theme of “hatred politics” is starkly illustrated by contrasting Trump’s restrictive immigration policies with Zohran Mamdani’s progressive advocacy. Mamdani, a 33-year-old New York State Assembly member and Democratic nominee for New York City mayor in 2025, was born in Uganda to Indian parents and became a U.S. citizen in 2018 Wikipedia, 2025. He champions sanctuary city policies, stating, “I will unabashedly stand up for our sanctuary city policies which have kept New Yorkers safe” The Guardian, 2025.

Mamdani’s rise has sparked intense backlash. After his June 2025 primary victory over Andrew Cuomo, he faced Islamophobic attacks, including death threats and labels like “jihadist terrorist.” Trump called him a “100% Communist Lunatic” and falsely questioned his citizenship, threatening arrest over his opposition to ICE operations ABC News, 2025. These attacks highlight the challenges faced by immigrant-background politicians advocating for inclusion.

In contrast, Trump’s policies emphasize restriction. His 2024 campaign promised mass deportations, appointing figures like Tom Homan, known for family separations, as border czar SPLC, 2025. The Supreme Court’s July 2025 ruling aligns with this agenda, with 47% of Americans supporting deporting all undocumented immigrants in 2024, up from 37% in 2019 Gallup, 2024. This divide—Trump’s focus on security versus Mamdani’s push for diversity—encapsulates “hatred politics,” where fear often overshadows immigrants’ contributions.

Health and Social Impacts

Anti-immigrant sentiment has profound consequences. A UCLA study found that recent immigrants experienced doubled psychological distress from 2015 to 2021 due to hostile rhetoric and policies UCLA, 2023. State-level anti-immigrant policies also exacerbate health disparities among Latino children, underscoring the societal toll of exclusionary attitudes PMC, 2023.

Political rhetoric

The rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in America stems from political rhetoric, economic fears, and security concerns, amplified by decisions like the Supreme Court’s July 2025 ruling on deportations. While Trump’s policies and rhetoric fuel division, immigrant-background politicians like Mamdani and Omar advocate for inclusion, often at great personal cost. The German Chancellor’s gift to Trump serves as a reminder of America’s immigrant roots, challenging exclusionary narratives. Addressing this issue demands empathetic dialogue that acknowledges legitimate concerns while celebrating immigrants’ vital contributions to America’s social, political, and economic fabric.