A Deeply Flawed Argument Against Immigration

Immigration opponents often struggle to come up with a good rationale for keeping people out of the country. With illegal immigration having essentially halted a decade ago, and with low-skilled legal immigration having tapered off as well, the traditional justifications have evaporated.

Undeterred, “restrictionists” have found another reason to reject hard-working, enterprising newcomers. In a recent op-ed, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat claimed that “as mass immigration increases diversity, it reduces social cohesion and civic trust.” This argument is gaining popularity, but it’s deeply flawed and should not be guiding our thinking.