How we Talk about Immigration: CEO Commentary on Immigration Public Debates

Even a cursory glance at the news these days reveals disturbing reports of a growing swell of mixed and often intolerant views on immigrants/asylum seekers. Of course the two are not one and the same but I’d wager much of the coverage uses both interchangeably.  For PSI, the question I think we need to answer, is how can the psychological community intervene to protect the social and psychological wellbeing of all of Irish society in these troubling times? 

When we look at the issue of immigration and asylum seekers through the lens of public debate, the focus is troublingly narrow. There is some, arguably not enough, talk of the impact of “anti-immigrant” views and actions on both immigrants and asylum seekers themselves. And when the media covers these anti-immigration views, they invariably highlight commentary on illegalities and immigration’s negative economic and social impact. This in turn then often generates a reaction which is to disagree, to ridicule and/or to condemn these views as ‘far-right’. 

What is lacking, and on both sides, and in the media coverage, is understanding. The result of a narrow narrative is to further polarise divided opinions, and the more visible and prevalent this limited coverage, the more amplified the tensions. That’s why the latest Irish Times/IPSOS B&A opinion poll makes for interesting reading as it presents a more nuanced reality when it comes to the views of the public, where 48% said immigration is a positive for Ireland yet 59% said Ireland’s immigration policy should be ‘more closed’. 

What is currently happening in Ireland, is a majority minority paradigm shift, that has occurred in such a short space of time, that the resulting new expressions of prejudice are not being adequately or resolutely countered. The more widespread these views are, the more they are propagated by and via mainstream and social media, and the more “acceptable” such stereotypes and the voicing of such opinions becomes.

What is not said, or talked about enough, is the psychological impact of immigration and more importantly, how to minimise these adverse impacts. These include, the impacts of negotiating loss and separation, of being exposed to a new environment, and of navigating an unfamiliar and cultural experience. But these are not necessarily unique to the immigrant population. The same or similar challenges and impacts can arguably also be experienced, albeit to a different degree, by the host country citizens. For instance, the alteration in the make-up of the community can create a feeling of loss, the new environment can feel changed, and communities can be exposed to unfamiliar cultural experiences. Immigration initiates a new inter-dependence, which may or may not be expected or welcome. 

Without the upsides of the situation being championed on the ground, and given ‘airtime’ in the media, divisive and dangerous anti-immigration stances inevitably emerge, which is what we are witnessing across the country.

Psychology has a role to play here, to inform the public debate, and to extend and even shift the narrative to broader perspectives that may help all constituencies feel heard and understood. And by actively engaging with the communities affected through the provision of resources, psychologists can deliver advocacy and education on the immigrant’s perspective.   

Addressing the anti-immigrant position, requires an understanding of the full spectrum of concerns involved, and this includes social and cultural. Because the public discourse is dominated by a narrow narrative, others, such as the reality that immigration is actually a net economic positive, get drowned out. Instead the focus – especially where the host country has adverse challenges, which in Ireland’s case would have been employment of old, but is now very much housing, services and health – is on the apparent threat, usually competition for resources (again as illustrated in the survey results). 

We need to appreciate people’s ideologies and even their opposing perspectives, how change can feel like a threat to some, to their social identity and to their culture. And cognisance needs to be paid to how all of these are shaped and nurtured by social media, where the prejudices preached are augmented by algorithms that have the power to rapidly convert unanswered concerns, into ‘validated’ and rigid negative world views. 

The role of information here is obviously critical. Its absence or inadequacy fans the flames of fear and aggravates people’s feelings of lack of power, agency and control. Change is being imposed on them and as well publicised, too often without consultation or engagement. Using negative labels, without appreciating the origins and the catalysts of the anti-immigrant position, is too simplistic. To change these perceptions, the conversations need to change. Applying a psychological dimension could not just inform but transform the discussion, and could do so across multiple stakeholder platforms. This is an emotional, social and political battle, so the interventions and preventions need to happen on all of these levels. The transformative nature of psychological science has the potential to re-direct the discussions, foster tolerance and cultivate a more psychologically resilient culture.

Multiculturalism is an iterative societal concept and its antecedent is respectful engagement and empathy.  Psychology can pave a pathway to this end.  As well as making thoughtful contributions to the conversation, the psychological community can make a further meaningful and helpful contribution by supporting and instructing policy regarding the resources needed to support the immigrant population. To this end, PSI is pulling together (literally through cross-group engagements) resources that will be of value to all constituencies. Because effective psychological advocacy can stimulate change, and a new changed outlook is what is badly needed to address this worrying situation.  

Blog post by Sheena Horgan Chief Executive Officer The Psychological Society of Ireland

References:

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/08/poll-february-2024-full-results-charts/ (full charts available to Irish Times subscribers only)

https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-times-immigration-poll-6296093-Feb2024/