Populism to Protect American Workers

 When thinking about immigration policy, it's crucial to recognize that America is a nation made up of people, not just an economy. Vice President J. D. Vance emphasized that America consists of individuals united by shared history and future, which means the economy should serve its citizens rather than the other way around. It's important to value our culture, heritage, and ideals and focus on building prosperity, not just increasing GDP.

A focus on enormous corporate profits creates a distorted view that undermines community bonds and dehumanizes individuals. The ideal economic system in the U. S. should promote the idea of distributism, where economic power is spread out widely. However, mass migration tends to benefit a small group of elites, taking away from the working class by offering cheap labor options.

Currently, there is a significant debate within the Republican coalition about legal immigration. This discussion contrasts populist nationalists with the business-oriented internationalists in Trump's 2024 campaign. Immigration was a major factor in Trump's success during the recent elections, as many voters demanded secure borders and reform of the immigration system. The current system benefits large multinational companies and NGOs rather than everyday citizens.

Most Trump supporters advocate for strong action against illegal immigration, but opinions differ when it comes to legal immigration. The number of foreign-born individuals in America has risen dramatically under President Biden, now making up 15% of the population, the highest in history. This is a far cry from the past when high immigration rates were balanced with strict requirements for assimilation.

Historically, America's foreign-born population was lowered significantly in the 1950s due to restrictive policies, but this changed after the 1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act, which led to increased immigration. The number of illegal immigrants surged after Ronald Reagan’s 1986 amnesty decision, and the current situation is seen as a crisis due to current policies.

Many Americans are increasingly unhappy with lax border control, including issues with worker visa programs like H-1B, which are often exploited to benefit corporate executives at the expense of American workers. These programs were designed for exceptional individuals to assimilate into America but have been misused.

Recent discussions suggest that populist nationalists may gain the upper hand in reforming these practices. Elon Musk proposed that foreign worker visas should include high minimum salaries and fees for employers, emphasizing that any foreign workers should be those who offer significant value to society. A suggested framework includes requiring annual fees of $50,000 and minimum salaries of $250,000.

These high standards would ensure that only the most talented individuals are admitted, supporting American workers rather than undermining them. If foreign workers are genuinely needed, companies would be willing to meet these expenses.

Combining these reforms with firm border enforcement and deportations could help America regain control, support cultural values, and promote shared prosperity. These changes could unify and strengthen the America First coalition moving forward.

https://amgreatness.com/2025/01/01/populism-to-protect-american-workers/