From arduous bureaucratic processes to daunting language barriers, a refugee or asylum seeker resettling in a new country faces many initial obstacles. Yet in the midst of these tangible difficulties, there is a less visible, but just as prevalent, barrier: the increasing prevalence of xenophobia and extremist, anti-immigrant ideology in sociopolitical landscapes. Throughout much of Europe and the United States, there has been a rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric in reaction to refugee movements and in conjunction with the increasing prevalence of far-right extremism. This type of isolationist, ultra-nationalist ideology not only threatens the livelihood and wellbeing of migrants globally, but could also signal a concerning turn towards alt-right and populist movements inching closer to the political mainstream.

Refugees and immigrants are an ideal “other” for nationalist, far-right movements; in crafting a national “us versus them” mentality, migrant populations are an easy outsider to vilify. Migrants are consistently represented in alt-right and populist rhetoric as an outside threat, composed of criminals and dangerous individuals threatening to drain resources utilized by citizens. This fabricated danger stimulates reactionary feelings of solidarity around far-right political parties and ideology, providing individuals with a misdirected sense of national identity, unifying themselves against a fabricated outside force. Beyond blatantly misconstruing the realities of who refugees are, the trials they face, and the ways in which they add to their communities, the vilification of migrant communities in political rhetoric and the media feed into deep-rooted prejudice and xenophobia. History has repeatedly shown the veritable danger which follows the premeditated targeting and dehumanization of marginalized communities.

Combating xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment is no small task, or one which can be defined by a single strategy. It must involve significant political inroads, policy changes, and a dismantling of extremist ideology. A critical aspect of undoing the harm of the vilification and dehumanization of migrants is reidentifying who they are to the public by amplifying their narratives and stories. Changing the mainstream identification of refugees as a threat or monolith is essential– reminding the public through the media that refugees are not just a news headline, but a population of complex individuals who daily contribute to their communities is crucial to the reduction of dangerous, false rhetoric. Promoting social identities which provide alternatives to political extremism is also necessary, and communal contexts which lend themselves to this could also serve to humanize migrants and refugees who live near or amongst other citizens of a country. Providing cultural and communal settings for individuals to interact with those of migrant backgrounds can allow them to move beyond the stereotypes they are exposed to through political rhetoric and media and towards acceptance and understanding of their migrant neighbors. Through the content we produce and the volunteering opportunities we offer, GRMR strives to create environments which accurately portray immigrant narratives and allow otherwise unaware community members to meet and create relationships with them.

Contributing to communities, economies, and social fabrics, refugees are our past, present, and future. And yet, they are currently directly threatened by alt-right nationalist movements and political extremism. Ignoring or minimizing the danger which this poses to migrant communities is a heedless mistake. Protecting and investing in refugee and migrant communities must be an active and conscientious effort, one which aims to reshape immigrant identity in the public eye and turn sociopolitical norms away from violent xenophobia.