One minute you are a citizen of your country, the next you find yourself in a land of unknown faces and unfamiliar streets. Reality jolts you into the realisation that you are now an immigrant. This is when immigration anxiety kicks in and individuals find themselves being encapsulated in feelings of elevated discomfort and uncertainty. Moving out of one’s home country, for whatever purpose it may be, is more often than not a jarring experience.
There is an anxiety that arises from the host countries as well. This is when the country to which the immigrant travels to (either voluntarily, by force, or by displacement) is also experiencing anxiety concerning an influx of ‘foreign’ entities.
Immigration anxiety is very real. So why is it that not much attention is directed towards how best to address a situation clearly affecting millions across the first world?
From the P.O.V. of the ‘Immigrant’
People travel for various reasons. It could either be for education, for better job prospects, or in search of a better quality of life that your own country fails to provide. Therefore, immigrating to an entirely new territory can be exciting but also something that induces anxiety. How immigrants survive or prosper in a host country rides on factors such as acculturation (the process of adopting the norms, beliefs, ideologies, and traditions of a host culture), social stress, and social support.
The UN reports that in 2020, 3.6% of the global population were immigrants. And of course, the tracking of the data does not show a trend reversal in the foreseeable future. This implies that the absence of a welcoming and supportive surrounding could result in the immigrant’s mental state plummeting alarmingly.
Among the most common causes of immigration anxiety are cultural adjustment, language barriers, social isolation, employment concerns, discrimination and prejudice, and dealing with trauma.
Cultural Adjustment: Shifting to a new country can throw one into limbo, with no footing to balance oneself. It ensues adapting to a different culture, new language(s), and social norms. This can prove to be stressful as individuals may feel a sense of being severed from the roots that they had been accustomed to. A branch of cultural adjustment that is often overlooked in statistics, but is very real, is the yearning for the food that your home country offers that the host country does not. Humans attach meaning to acquired tastes and familiar cuisines. A spice that gave you comfort in your motherland may no longer be available in the host country which could then manifest itself as a source of anxiety as well.
Language Barriers: The inability to speak the local language of the host country could be a barrier that leads to almost palpable anxiety. Communication challenges do lead to feelings of isolation. Furthermore, it could also put the immigrant in an uncomfortable situation because they will have difficulties in doing basic tasks such as shopping or seeking medical help.
Social Isolation: Not having your social circle or your family around you for a prolonged period can eventually lead to feelings of loneliness. This may get overwhelming if they do not find new friends in due time.
Employment concerns: Finding a job is a difficult task even in your own country. As such, when you are in a new country, the lack of connections, differences in qualifications, recognition, job market, and language skills will exacerbate the difficulty in finding a job. The inability or the excessive strain to find a job will inevitably lead to not only financial issues but mental and physical as well.
Discrimination and Prejudice: One of the major issues that the world is facing is the prejudice that most countries hold towards immigrants either based on their nationality, race, ethnicity, or cultural background. For instance, misinformed narratives that the media spews on communities such as Muslims, Eastern Europeans, and people of colour have dehumanised them. During some instances, the damage done is irreversible. Such trains of thought then seep into reality as well.
Dealing with trauma: Some immigrants may have experienced traumatic experiences in their home countries. They will have a difficult time juggling the process of coping with such trauma and adapting themselves to a new atmosphere.
Immigration anxiety from the P.O.V. of the host country
While the immigrants grapple with their demons, the masses residing in host countries have not hesitated to voice their concerns. Most of the anxiety in countries that receive large amounts of immigrants is widespread and deeply entrenched to the point that convincing them to embrace this ever-evolving change is nearly impossible. Countries that are home to a high number of immigrants, such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia are no strangers to this scenario. Their anxiety stems mainly from reasons such as economic concerns, cultural apprehensions, security, and political worries, shortage of housing, and jeopardising the education system. It is argued that the overflow of immigrants into the country could adversely impact the economy of the host country. With the arrival of immigrants, there will be increased competition for jobs and downward pressure on wages. There were times when countries like the United Kingdom phrased the inflow of immigrants as “too many” immigrants because they perceived this sudden increase in population as a threat.
However, this anxiety has now materialised into something almost malicious. This is because the major consequences of immigration anxiety from the host country’s end have led to polarisation, social tensions and lost opportunities. It has resulted in a situation where overly restrictive immigration policies prevent those countries’ access to a diverse and global talent pool. Most alarming of all, it also has humanitarian implications (where human rights will be forsaken to tighten restrictive immigration measures).
Immigration anxiety is a phenomenon that is complex and multi-faceted that has left a mark on many countries. However, in an ever-evolving world, we should try to comprehend the factors that lead to immigration and embrace the aftermath of the same. What could these nations do to ease this tension? Maybe start by looking into integrating social cohesion into policies, and reaching out for global cooperation. These measures will hopefully lead to a world that celebrates diversity and the mixing and matching of cultures for a harmonious and better living experience.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)