Hostile perception towards immigrants in US

Studies have shown that immigrants in the United States have been radicalized and categorized as an out-group. Often perceived as foreigners, laborers and low status, American-Mexicans continue to be targeted for mistreatment. This paper provides a description of social identity theory and the perception of intergroup relations in the United States. Social identity theory describes the interaction between American identity and perceptions towards immigrants. Summary of the Theory Model Social identity model is a description of how discrimination and prejudice resulting from intergroup engagements. Secondly, the situation must allow comparison of intergroup. The third assumption is that an out-group must be sufficiently equivalent and the demands for distinctiveness must increase with comparability (Trepte & Loy 5). Discriminatory opinions between cultures result to racism, which in extreme may result in genocide such au that occurred in Rwanda between tutus and Hutsi.

Tajfel suggested that stereotyping or classifying individuals is based on normal the cognitive process of grouping things together. By doing so, the society tends to overstress the similarities of objects in the same group and the differences between groups. Throughout US history, Mexican Americans have been radicalized and categorized as an out-group. As a result of this discrimination, this group has been limited in their involvement within the society. Recurrent reports about discrimination and stereotyping support racialization. Moreover, the education disadvantages for this group largely reflect their unfair and discriminatory treatment they face as a minority group. Today, the influential anti-immigrant sentiments like that reported in the CNN Tv show has also worked against all born or immigrant Mexicans. In this regards, African Americans and Mexican immigrants are perceived to have low status, and the eminent negative stereotypes about them are prevalent.

Scrutiny of social roles and organization creates a basis for stereotyping communities. For instance in the CNN TV show ‘Lou Dobb Tonight’, Lou Dobb observes that blacks and American Mexicans come to invade the work that should be done by members of his group. Through these observations, ascriptions are made about the distinctiveness of this group. Actually, he is not afraid to refer Mexicans as invaders and criminals who spread leprosy in USA (Americas Voice). Citrin and Duff discovered that the needs to believe in God and defend one’s country are also important qualities of a true American. Those people who support the ‘nativist’ aspects of American identity are more likely to support policies designed to hurt new immigrants and undocumented workers.

Also, they discovered that such people are likely to perceive the impact of Mexican immigration in the United States negatively. Such individuals believe that to be a member of their in-group, one must honor American customs and practices and those people who cannot adopt the American values are not true Americans and should be treated as them (out-group) (Citrin, Jack &Brian Duff 71). Citrin and his coworkers also found out that members of diverse racial and ethnic groups such as African-Americans and Hispanics are primarily identified as Americans but secondarily as members of their racial group (71). The manner in which people perceive members of a group that is different from theirs and then comparing them with their group impacts their lives to a greater extent.

Unfavorable evaluating immigrants, particularly Mexican Americans have created a negative social identity among them. For this reason, prejudice views against them will always prevent policy makers from enacting laws that will protect both immigrants and undocumented workers in the United States. The findings in this research coincide with the observations made in the CNN show where Lou Dobb is seen making racist and bigoted statements about immigrants and undocumented workers. Indeed, the aggression in the U. Based on this in-group favorability, such individuals will support the policies that help the in-group and oppose those that benefit out-group. In this regard, groups that share the views of American identity oppose illegal migration and hold discriminatory attitudes towards immigrants simply because they belong to an out-group.