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The idea of the ‘American Dream’ has been a popular notion for almost a hundred years. Migrants from around the world have believed the US will be the one country where their energy and hard work will always be rewarded.

The latest Trump presidency and the planned campaigns of mass deportation are rocking the foundations of that idea, raising important questions about global migration, the perception of migrants and what’s going to happen next.

Professor of Public Sociology, has led important discussions relating to migration in the US today through her podcast Who do we think we are?, , Director of the Immigration Lab at American University in Washington, DC.

“With the growing swell of negative stories and disinformation around migration and immigrants around the world, sociology as a discipline focused on gathering real-world evidence and truths has a crucial role in myth-busting,” said Michaela — who has recently been in terms of influence.

In the podcast, Ernesto explained how among prospective immigrants in areas like Central America and North Africa, the belief in the American Dream is still powerful. “They wish they had the opportunity to live in America, play soccer here, play basketball, meet the stars of the NFL and NBA and the Hollywood world…there’s this imaginary America that exists around the world. So while a lot of Americans are actually very cynical about the promise of America, immigrants and foreigners actually probably hold it to the ground.”

He also highlighted how the serious drive and investment into ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has led to an outpouring of feelings of solidarity with migrants in the country: “We are seeing a lot of ‘white middle-class’ residents in places like restaurants putting their bodies in between ICE and strangers they don't know and saying, ‘Hey, do you have papers, do you have a you have a warrant? Is this necessary?’”

This article was initially featured in issue nine of 91快活林's Global Research Newsletter.

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