Cedars, January 2019

January 2019 11 ANALYSIS problem.” Passions over the changing immigration landscape have been heightened to an unforeseen degree by the rise of President Donald Trump. For better or for worse, Smith said, the president’s rhetoric and policy has brought immi- gration back into the spotlight of American politics. “Trump not only talked about [immigration]; he wea- ponized it,” Smith said. “If you listened to a Democrat and a Republican talk about these issues four, six, eight years ago, they would disagree on elements, but they would agree on most of the fundamentals. Donald Trump doesn’t agree with anybody on the fundamentals.” That, Smith acknowledged, is exactly what got Pres- ident Trump elected, and the very reason why his propo- nents support him. However, Smith worries that in the process, President Trump may have sacrificed the ability to work with other people to resolve the issues he has brought to light. Amid one of the greatest refugee crises in history, President Trump lowered the maximum refugee quota to 45,000, the lowest it has been since 1980. President Trump’s promised wall along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, while yet to materialize, remains a hot political topic stalling the Congressional budget. The con- troversy is amplified by the caravan of Central American migrants that reached the southern border in November. Whether one views these policies favorably or not, it can- not be denied that President Trump’s polarizing rhetoric has transformed the way immigration is discussed in the United States. Many see President Trump as merely the reflection of a global resurgence of nationalist and populist ideology. In response to rapid globalization, economic slowdown and rising inequality, many populations worldwide are now de- manding that their leaders invest in walls rather than bridg- es. Clauson summarized it succinctly: “Fear gets immediate results.” In the meantime, immigration is still changing, espe- cially in the U.S. Due to a decline in immigration fromMex- ico, the majority of new immigrants in the last five years come from Asian countries, accounting for a total of 41 percent of new arrivals. According to Pew Research Center, new immigrants are also dispersing more widely across the country, as opposed to clustering in California, New York, Texas and Florida. In 1990, these four states were home to more than two-thirds of new immigrants. By 2013, they were hosting fewer than half. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect immigration policy, political dialogue, and the country as a whole. Despite widespread acknowledgment of the need for change in the U.S. immigration system, Smith expressed doubt that it will come anytime soon. In order to fix the im- migration system, he said, we first have to fix the dialogue around it. “[Politicians] aren’t willing to compromise because they don’t want to suffer the wrath of the far left or the far right,” Smith said. “I hope we eventually have people who emerge on both sides of the aisle who decide to put aside the radical parts of their agendas and work together, but I’m not hopeful. We’ll see.” Breanna Beers is a sophomore molecular and cellular bi- ology major and the interim off-campus news editor for Cedars. She loves exercising curiosity, hiking new trails, and quoting “The Princess Bride” whether it’s relevant or not. Online M.B.A. M.S.N. M.Min. Residential M.Div. M.Min. Pharm.D. Ready to take the next step? We’ve created accelerated completion plans for 10 popular majors (with more on the way!) that allow you to complete your bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. in as little as four years, saving you time and money. Interested in a different grad program? Talk to your advisor about customizing a plan just for you! Access the free, fast-track application just for Cedarville students: cedarville.edu/gradapply