Tensions between newly arrived migrants, long-term immigrants, and minority communities in the United States are growing due to the perceived unfair distribution of government benefits. According to a report by TheHill, this frustration is particularly concentrated in large cities, where many undocumented and mixed-status families feel neglected as newcomers become eligible for work permits. In addition, in some communities of color, spending on shelter for asylum seekers is seen in contrast to shortages in other social programs.
The tension is highlighted in Democratic strongholds such as New York and Chicago, where community leaders and elected officials have struggled to deal with these issues. The problem revolves around the perception that new immigrants are receiving preferential treatment, even though many of them face extremely difficult conditions.
The publication emphasizes that this tension is exacerbated by the lack of immigration reform in the United States since 1986, and the change in the pattern of migration to the country, with an increase in the number of families seeking asylum compared to the migration of Mexican single adults, leading to an impression of a two-tiered system.
This tension makes it difficult for newcomers, especially asylum seekers from Latin America, to assimilate and is fueled by factors such as xenophobia, misinformation, and uncertainty. Locals express frustrations and concerns about public safety and the lack of transparency in choosing shelter sites for migrants.
Advocates for undocumented immigrants are pushing the Biden administration to address this disparity by granting immigration parole to large segments of the population and allowing them to work legally. In addition, they highlight that parole is a powerful tool for calming tensions between different immigrant communities, along with measures to speed up work permits for asylum seekers and funding for cities that receive migrants.
However, political inaction can have consequences on voter turnout, especially in mixed-status communities that tend to vote Democratic. Democrats-elect are pushing the Biden administration to take decisive action to address these complex issues and ensure that tensions do not affect their voter base. Ultimately, the text highlights the challenges and divisions surrounding immigration issues in the United States and the pressure to find effective and equitable solutions.