How could anyone dislike my dad? He came to America in July 1980, with less than 30 bucks in his pocket. Shortly after arriving on a visa, he bought a 90-day bus ticket, traveling the country overnight while spending his days looking for work. On the 89th day, he finally did, finding a medical job in Tennessee. Ever since, he’s enriched his new homeland with hard work and patriotic love.
Yet to a growing number of Americans, immigrants like my dad are increasingly viewed as unhelpful or even dangerous. A mere 40 percent of Americans now think skilled immigrants are a major benefit to the country, down from about 60 percent two decades ago, according to an AP poll from March. At the same time, the share of Americans who fear that legal immigrants are criminals has substantially risen, from 19 to 32 percent. If my dad came to America today, he might find a more hostile reception, and a harder path to success.
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