There is, of late, a growing fear, concern or in some cases, rejection of immigrants among a relatively large number of people in the United States. This is despite, according to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. has more immigrants than any other country, a longstanding reality. In fact, in 1880, the United States had approximately 15% of its population born abroad, and in 2023, that proportion remained about the same or slightly lower.
Why the fear exists today is beyond me, given that the existence of immigrants has been historically part of our culture, and crime rates are currently lower than they have been. Indeed, we are rapidly becoming a majority minority country where our differences are our strengths, and they are commonplace and should be unremarkable. And yet, many are having discussions at this time, which are sometimes emotional and too often political. In my humble opinion, we should focus more on what makes us better as a country, what advances the most significant benefits for the greatest number of people, regardless of their background, and our place in the world now and into the future…
Jeffrey Senese, NJBIZ, July 14, 2025
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