Donald Trump’s immigration policies are based on hatred of foreigners. He uses the word “invasion” to describe the influx of migrants and “aliens” for noncitizens; sealed the Southern border; and eroded the right to seek asylum in the U.S. The president’s attitude goes deeper than policy. He referred to undocumented immigrants as “animals” who are “poisoning the blood of our country” during the 2024 presidential election. Before Trump was elected president in 2016, he claimed Indiana-born federal judge Gonzalo Curiel couldn’t be impartial because he was “Mexican.”
Three people I met in a single day recently illustrated the fundamentally anti-American, reckless and racist nature of Trump’s attitude and policies toward immigrants.
First, I hired a contractor to fix a decrepit fence on my property. The man, a native of Ecuador, was punctual, answered my questions and completed the job in 90-degree heat, exemplifying hard work — long a hallmark of American society.
That same day, I took a walk through a park where a first-generation Vietnamese American man was collecting signatures to get his name on a nominating ballot to serve as a representative in the Illinois General Assembly. He showed initiative — a trait long admired in American society.
Toward the end of the day, I shopped at a North Side grocery and cash transfer storefront housed in a ramshackle space that would otherwise be vacant. The Filipino American owner said her 20-year-old business has seen a marked drop-off in traffic since January, when the president took office, because her customer base fears federal immigration policies.
As these people pursue their dreams, Americans’ attitudes toward immigration are shifting dramatically, as a Gallup poll in July found the share of U.S. adults who want less immigration — 30% — is down 25 percentage points from last year. The polling firm also reports that 79% of Americans — a record high — say immigration is a good thing for the country. The poll also revealed that 62% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of immigration.
In the end, these poll results only clarify the point that immigrants are the essence of America. Everyday people demonstrate that.
Craig Barner, Lincoln Square
Trump’s stance on immigration didn’t cause violent crime drop
Violent crime has dropped dramatically over the last few years with only brief spikes from events like the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is welcome, but its causes remain debated. What’s clear is that it has nothing to do with the increasingly cruel and chaotic immigration policies being proposed and implemented by Donald Trump.
His campaign promised mass deportations, yet data shows that only 7% of those targeted have been convicted of violent crimes — and 65% have no criminal record at all. It’s also well established that immigrants, especially undocumented ones, commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens.
Despite this, the president continues to describe major cities — especially Democratic ones, including Chicago and Washington D.C. — as crime-ridden hellholes only he can rescue. In reality, violent crime is falling in both places. CNN’s recent fact check of his illegal takeover attempt of Washington, D.C., law enforcement confirmed. Even his own FBI director admitted the steep drop in violent crime.
We must anticipate the narrative Trump is building — that any drop in crime is thanks to his harsh immigration stance. He’s done this before — taking credit for stock market gains that preceded his presidency. If we don’t challenge the false narrative about immigrant crime now, people may believe that mistreating and deporting immigrants somehow made America safer. It didn’t. And it won’t.
Bion Chen, Lincoln Park
Putin’s pal
For a president who pretends to be tough, Donald Trump was sickening with his fawning, deferential, overly friendly, red carpet treatment of an evil, murderous war criminal before and after their supposed agreement that Trump failed to make happen. Vladimir Putin ignored Trump’s hollow prior threats and continued his immoral decimation of Ukraine.
Ed Stone, Northbrook
Rethinking the Air and Water Show
The awe-inspiring aerial feats of the U.S Air Force over the weekend were an opportunity for Chicago to acknowledge the patriotism and heroism of the Air Force, and by extension, of all the armed forces who protect our country. But there are much safer ways to accomplish this.
A total of 21 Thunderbird pilots have died in the team’s history. Most of these deaths occurred during training accidents, but three fatalities resulted from crashes during air shows. The deadliest incident was in 1982, when four pilots died simultaneously during a training maneuver in Nevada. An investigation concluded that a stabilizer had stuck on the flight lead’s aircraft, causing him to not be able to pull out of the dive on the backside of a maneuver. The wingmen, following their training and their trust in their leader, followed the leader into the ground.
Recent headlines involving Boeing aircraft remind us that, despite every effort to ensure safety, mechanical issues continue to occasionally occur in modern aircraft. And the possibility of a medical event for the single pilot in a Thunderbird plane adds to the risk.
A crash during the Chicago Air and Water Show could be a version of New York City’s 9/11.
An IMAX theatre presentation of aerial feats performed by the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels over the Nevada desert would offer a similar opportunity to acknowledge our heroes and to experience most, if not all, of the thrills.
History suggests it is not a matter of whether, but of when.
Tom Shannon, Lincoln Park
Sensor suggestion
Why not put in half as many air pollution sensors in the city and use the remaining money actually to fight pollution? Just a thought.
Michael Blane, Logan Square