Perceptions of Immigration as a Threat to the Good Life in Rural America

Abstract

Rural attitudes differ from those of the general public because much of rural America tends to be or recently was predominantly non-Hispanic white. Attitudes towards immigrants and immigration have changed in rural America as new immigrants came into rural communities that did not fit the with the dominant culture and ethnicity of rural residents. Rural whites are more likely find immigrants, especially non-European immigrants, to be threatening. They are more likely to perceive immigrants to be a threat to their identity, community, culture, political power, and economic well-being because the new immigrants do not fit with rural whites’ stronger attachment to the identity of American as being white. However, this perceived threat may be mitigated by increased social contact with immigrants in their community