“They’re ruining America!” is the phrase often hurled at immigrants, echoed in campaign speeches, soundbites, and viral tweets. It’s a message used across movements, against people who are more often builders of this country than its destroyers. Immigration has been framed not just as a policy issue, but as an existential crisis. The solution? Close the borders, fund ICE, and ramp up deportations—all to “restore order.”

But what if it was all a distraction to a problem that has embedded itself into the American government system?

The real crisis is coming from within in the form of our political parties. Oftentimes, people overlook that the biggest threat to America isn’t those coming in—it’s those pulling us apart.

The allegations against immigrants being the root cause of every one of societies’ problems have barely any basis in fact. In an extensive research paper from Stanford University, immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated when compared to US born persons. Additionally, in 2024, 46% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants, which proves that immigrants have brought more benefit than harm, yet we find them the victims of discrimination.

Rather than focusing on addressing various systemic issues, both parties lean on fear and polarization. The GOP pushes immigration as the cause of everything from low wages to crimes, while the Democrats fail to push for reforms that are nonpartisan enough to pass. 

The two party system was never meant to be part of American politics. The constitution was written in hopes that each politician would remain loyal to the oath they took to it, not whether they were red or blue. 

“I am the Democratic Party” said former President Biden in 2020. According to Sydney Milkis, professor of politics, the problem is, Biden wasn’t wrong. When a president is elected, they become the party leader, which means that other members of the same party are expected to support and further the president’s goals, highlighting the fundamental issue with political parties. 

Members of the same political party will continue to support each other despite how unconstitutional or unethical proposed bills and policies are. Branches don't safeguard their power, they only push their party’s policy—no matter what cost it comes at. 

Furthermore, when politicians blindly back their political parties, oftentimes they do not put forth their best thought into reading and understanding the bills. A recent example of this is when Marjorie Taylor Greene admitted to not reading the GOP Megabill, and voting “yes” to it regardless; a display of how dangerous and damaging party politics can be. 

This party loyalty can also occur when larger steps are to be taken. For instance, the New York Times discusses, when Donald Trump in 2019 declared a national emergency to secure border wall funds without congressional approval, Republican lawmakers overwhelmingly backed him despite clear constitutional concerns over budget authority. Similarly, CNN remembers when Democratic lawmakers largely supported President Obama’s use of executive action on immigration through DACA and DAPA when Congress failed to act. This can allow executives to make questionable decisions that may be harmful since party members will back them regardless. 

However, worst of all, from my standpoint, is the polarization that political parties bring. Over the years, political parties have become more and more separate from each other, and have begun to view the opposing viewpoint as “dangerous”. This makes it more difficult to work through nonpartisan reform as the two contrast each other deeply, leaving barely any room for cooperation.

America’s strength has never come from its parties, it comes from the people—diverse, dynamic, and determined. Immigrants are part of that story. They are not invaders; they are the investors in the American dream.

The real threat isn’t crossing the border, it’s encouraging the politics of division. If progress is to be made, voting should be based on values, not parties, in order to start demanding vision, truth, and leadership.