JD Vance was giving quite a show recently when he confronted those of Ukrainian descent in America who dare to criticize his neglect of the Ukraine situation. This interaction offers a clear view of how figures like Vance, Donald Trump, and many of their supporters perceive immigration and foreign policies. Their hostility toward immigration, not only unlawful but also legal ones from certain places, is striking. They seem ready and willing to target specific ethnic groups in America, insinuating dual allegiance and questioning their loyalty.
Vance’s outburst is interesting for several reasons. For starters, this alleged conversation he quoted is over two years old and yet, it carries no digital footprint. Even if his portrayal of the exchange were true, it does seem surprising that he’d resurrect an old conversation from obscurity to create an image of some American citizens with Ukrainian ancestry being disloyal to their adopted country.
Notably, Vance’s generalization did not extend to every American of Ukrainian descent. However, he suggested that those who disagree with his approach to the ongoing conflict, or those who feel a connection to their ancestral homeland, may not be completely loyal. It’s worth noting how he lumps together an entire ethnic group based on differing views or emotional affiliations with their roots, which appears quite radical.
In another instance, Vance charged a man in Ohio with attempting to embroil America in an ‘ethnic’ feud. This cunning rewording on Vance’s part effectively scrubs the conflict of its moral characteristics – Russia being the dictatorial antagonist, Ukraine the democratic casualty. Instead, he reduces the war to a simple nationality feud, making support for Ukraine seem more like racial favoritism than a moral duty.
Now, did the man from Ohio indeed refer to Ukraine as ‘my country’? Given the lack of video evidence or an independent account, we simply don’t know. Regardless, in Vance’s portrayal, the man criticized Vance for planning to ‘abandon’ Ukraine. Now, that’s a moral judgment, one possibly linked to Ukraine’s status as an ally, a victim, or a fellow democracy. But anything that doesn’t fit into Vance’s narrative tends to get unnoticed.
Vance’s issue with immigrants seems to be part of an underlying long-standing pattern of belittling specific ethnicities. In 2021, he argued that the Italian, Irish, and German immigrants of the early 20th century resulted in ‘ethnic enclaves’ and increased crime rates in America. He even congratulated an immigration slowdown in the 1920s as something to be admired.
Fast forward to 2022, on his US Senate campaign website, Vance iterated that America’s ability to assimilate the upcoming generation of immigrants is getting strained. He suggested modifying the existing immigration structure by selective acceptance and reducing the total incoming numbers.
Vance didn’t back down from his controversial claims about Italian, Irish, and German immigrants. He reiterated his views saying, ‘When you have these massive ethnic enclaves forming in our country, it can sometimes lead to higher crime rates.’ He made a call for pro-assimilation American immigration policy.
At a gathering in September, he expressed his concern about ‘some of our small towns in the state of North Carolina’ facing the challenge of ‘a massive influx of children who don’t even speak English.’
At an Arizona gathering in October, Vance complained: ‘In Arizona schools right now, we have got thousands upon thousands of children who can’t even speak the native language of Arizona.’
Later that month on Joe Rogan’s podcast, while discussing Muslim immigrants, he cautioned against a ‘large influx of immigrants who don’t necessarily assimilate into Western values but try to create, I think, a religious tyranny at the local level.’ He warned, ‘If you think that won’t happen at a national level, you’re crazy.’
It is significant to note that Vance is quite selective when it comes to his targets. While he criticizes Ukrainian Americans who identify with Ukraine, he supports American Christians who are in sync with Israel. It appears that from his perspective, not all affiliations are considered equal.
In his last year’s Republican National Convention speech, Vance stated, ‘America is not just an idea. It is a group of people with a shared history and a common future.’ Seems like he’s subtly suggesting we should guard our group from the ‘wrong sort’ of people.
From his rebuke of Ukrainian Americans to his dismissive remarks about immigrants from various ethnic backgrounds, Vance’s stances suggest a deeply ingrained bias. His use of divisive rhetoric to stoke doubts about the loyalty of certain group inserts a wedge into the rich fabric of America’s multicultural society.
Whether it’s his remark about ‘abandoning’ Ukraine or his selective insinuations about dual loyalty, it appears that for Vance, a loyalty test is essential. It’s important to question such targeted divisiveness, considering the vital role immigrants have played in shaping America’s diverse society and dynamic economy.