During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly proposed a policy of “extreme vetting” for new immigrants. Now, with his reelection, he may attempt to bring this controversial idea to fruition.
The Republican Party platform asserts that Trump seeks to “keep foreign Christian-hating Communists, Marxists, and Socialists out of America.” While the president-elect has yet to outline a specific procedure for implementing this policy, he and his team should reconsider it entirely.
Although I oppose communism, Marxism, and socialism, I believe “extreme” ideological vetting of immigrants is an authoritarian practice that goes against the very principles it claims to defend. Rather than focusing on policing the ideas of newcomers, the Trump administration should maintain the current system, which targets genuine national security threats.
The Dangers of Ideological Screening
Ideological vetting would not just affect immigrants—it would grant the government sweeping powers to monitor thought and determine which ideologies are acceptable. This erodes fundamental American values by allowing the state to police beliefs and suppress dissent.
While screening out criminals and terrorists is a legitimate practice, Trump’s proposal goes much further. The policy suggests that America must guard itself against becoming like the oppressive, leftist regimes many immigrants have fled. There is a belief that newcomers will attempt to recreate the authoritarian environments they escaped.
However, immigrants come to America seeking freedom, not to re-establish the regimes they left behind. It is also misleading to assume that people’s political views are solely determined by their country of origin or ethnicity, as Trump’s unexpected success with Latino voters has demonstrated.
Immigrants and Political Influence
It’s important to remember that new immigrants, unless naturalized, do not have the power to vote, run for office, or influence political change. The naturalization process is lengthy and not automatic. Thus, the focus on ideological screening is misplaced when compared to the power American citizens already possess to vote and enact change.
If the government begins policing thought, it could eventually target American citizens as well—those who have the power to truly impact policy. This could lead to censorship, control of the press, and other authoritarian measures that threaten the core freedoms enjoyed by Americans.
The Threat to Free Speech
Freedom of speech and thought are foundational American values, protected by the Constitution. By denying these rights to immigrants, we undermine the very principles that define us. If we allow the government to restrict free expression for immigrants, we risk normalizing these practices and compromising these freedoms for all citizens.
History is full of regimes that have sought to control thought, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and China. These governments suppress dissent, control the media, monitor online activity, and enforce ideological conformity. Immigrants come to America precisely to escape such repression, not to bring it here. Introducing ideological vetting would move America closer to the authoritarianism that these immigrants fled.
The Role of Government vs. Citizens
It is true that some individuals—whether foreign-born or native—wish harm on America, including attempting to interfere with elections or overthrow the government. The government’s role is to protect Americans from foreign agents, terrorists, and spies who seek to cause harm. But protecting citizens from violence is distinct from suppressing ideas, however distasteful they may be.
The government must stop acts of violence and protect individual rights, as it already does by rejecting individuals who pose a clear threat to America’s security. The responsibility to challenge dangerous ideas belongs to citizens, not the state. In a free society, Americans must engage in debate, argue against harmful ideas, and counter them with better alternatives—using the protections afforded by the Constitution.
Conclusion
Americans should oppose the extreme vetting of immigrants not only because it is ineffective, but also because it threatens the fundamental freedoms that define the nation. By rejecting thought control, we uphold the core values of liberty, free expression, and the open exchange of ideas that make America truly great.
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