Anti-immigration riots take place in different countries, leading to concerns. According to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, anti-immigration protests, which first broke out last month after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign over a stabbing attack that left three children dead in the United Kingdom, led to anti-immigration riots. But this is not the only event of anti-immigration riots in the world. They occurred in the past in many other countries in Europe, America and other regions including, but not limited to, Greece, Hungary and Italy. Anti-immigration riots often cause the loss of life, damage property and infrastructure and lead to increased racial tensions in different countries.
It is notable that there are policy-driven, xenophobic and other reasons that lead to anti-immigration riots in different countries. Economic grievances, the fear of cultural change and ineffective immigration policies are some reasons for anti-immigration riots. Many individuals feel threatened by the perceived competition for jobs and resources — because of immigrants — leading to tensions and violence in communities. Negative stereotypes, discrimination against immigrants and the xenophobic attitude of the local people are also vital causes. Xenophobic beliefs fueled the anger among local people and resulted in anti-immigration riots in several countries in the past including Italy, Germany and South Africa. Radicalization and terror attacks often lead to anger and anti-immigration sentiments, protests and riots. Immigrants carried out attacks on native people in different countries including Germany and Sweden.
Governments have taken law enforcement-based, policy-based and other steps to address anti-immigration riots in different countries, leading to positive outcomes. While law enforcement-based actions are carried out in affected areas that help mitigate riots, maintain public order and ensure the safety of both immigrants and local residents, many governments implement policies to address the economic and other concerns of the local people through various ways including providing targeted job training programs to equip them with the skills and funding for affordable housing initiatives for them. The concerned authorities often work with community leaders and organizations to address the underlying issues fueling anti-immigrant sentiments and promote understanding and integration among immigrants and locals.
But various flaws in the steps lead to the ineffectiveness of addressing anti-immigration riots between locals and migrants in many countries. There remains a lack of prompt law enforcement steps to prevent the riots and ineffective communication with affected communities, resulting in more severe riots many times. Moreover, and importantly, there remains a policy failure to address the underlying economic, social and political reasons that fuel tensions between the locals and immigrants. A lack of comprehensive immigration policies, or short-term solutions, fails to address the root causes of anti-immigration sentiment. Among others, there are ineffective steps to address xenophobic attitudes, political rhetoric and radical attacks in many countries.
Hundreds of millions of people, pertinently saying, migrated globally in the 20th century. The number of immigration seekers is also increasing globally and many will migrate in the future for many reasons, not only better education, employment opportunities and living conditions but also increased conflicts, political repression and others. But without meaningful comprehensive solutions, anti-immigration riots may persist in many countries in Asia, Africa and other regions and erode trust in the government’s ability to protect all citizens in the future, given the complexity of the problem. While it is crucial to provide economic and other opportunities to the locals, it is vital to provide the scope of immigration that benefits both the immigrants and destination countries.
Prompt steps of law enforcement officials can help prevent anti-immigration riots and reduce their adverse outcomes many times. But it is crucial for the concerned authorities to emphasize dialogue and cooperation in order to prevent the spread of violence and loss of life. Emphasis also needs to be given to addressing the root causes of anti-immigration riots — along with providing immigration opportunities. Community-based steps are crucial and will be helpful in promoting tolerance between the local people and immigrants and reducing the attack of foreigners on locals in many countries.
