Immigrants Face the Brunt When a Country Looks for an Enemy Inside

The United States has poured billions into programs that target people who are not born in the country.
Many of those efforts aim at individuals who, like the writer, have lived here for decades and hold American citizenship.

• Federal officers are dispatched to cities, searching neighborhoods, and detaining people who may never have committed a crime.
• Taxpayer money—both from Americans and immigrants—is used to build detention centers where adults and children can be held without proper legal safeguards.

While the nation claims there is no money for basic services such as housing, schools, or health care, these budgets prioritize enforcement over equity.

Disproportionate Impact

The focus of these policies is not evenly spread.

• People with darker skin, non‑English languages, or unfamiliar religious practices are most at risk of being labeled as threats.
• Even integrated immigrants who have contributed to their communities can become targets because of appearance or speech.

A Legacy of Hope

Parents who arrived in the 1970s sought better opportunities. They worked tirelessly, retrained, and helped build local institutions in the hope of a more inclusive society—yet now the government’s rhetoric paints people who differ from the majority as criminals and killers.

Escalating Aggression

When fear justifies stripping rights, authorities can act with impunity.

• Police responses have become more aggressive, using tear gas and force against protesters who speak out for the safety of their neighbors.
• This cycle of intimidation consolidates power at the expense of individual freedoms.

A Counterexample

A model for justice exists in places like Anchorage, where local police respect rights and enforce laws fairly.

• In communities that value cooperation, people learn to live together peacefully.
• The law and constitution have enabled families across generations to thrive here, and those foundations should be protected.

The Lesson

When a nation hunts for an “enemy within,” the first victims are often those who share its values but look different.
Safeguarding rights, fostering trust, and investing in public services are essential steps to prevent a society from losing its own humanity.