Want to improve help improve relations between immigrants and citizens of your country? Here are some actions that you can take:

Go out of your way to interact with and get to know immigrants of all backgrounds:

I) Visit a place of worship frequented by immigrants.  

II) Volunteer at a public library or community center where immigrants go for help with English (or whatever the national language is).

III) Attend local multicultural events and get connected with cultural awareness groups.

IV) Learn a language that is spoken by immigrants in your area.

Show that regardless of your country’s general attitude towards immigrants, you are willing to accept and appreciate people of backgrounds different than your own, especially if they show a willingness to adapt to your country’s culture and follow its rules (ie: immigration laws). Even if they aren’t so willing to follow the rules or embrace your culture, in a respectful way, try to help them understand the importance of the rules and why the people of your country like doing things in the way that they do them. If many people make a conscious effort to do this, slowly but surely, the dominant attitude will become one of acceptance and compassion rather than distrust and discrimination.

Fight anti-immigrant attitudes:

V) Respectfully challenge those who adhere to stereotypes of immigrants.

VI) Express the importance of immigration in your country’s history (especially if you are American).

VII) Remind those frustrated with your country’s immigration situation that the government, not immigrants, is at fault for not operating a fair and effective immigration system. If you are American, advocate expansion of legal immigration, increased border security, and strict but fair amnesty for current illegal immigrants, as solutions to the current lack of control over immigration. Challenge the idea of mass deportation of immigrants as being unreasonable and unfair.

Take greater action:

VIII) Support groups that help out immigrants without question. Most local churches, charities, clinics, missions, and hospitals fit into this category.

IX) Support groups that advocate for immigration reform. In the U.S., one such group is Justice for Immigrants.

X) Write to your senator or congressman in support of fair, compassionate immigration reform, as described in Step #7.