The discussion surrounding immigration often evokes a myriad of opinions, yet for many Native Americans, the debate is particularly poignant. The crux of the issue lies in the paradox of discrimination against immigrants in a nation primarily built by immigrants, save for two critical exceptions: enslaved Africans and Native Americans.

The wealth and power of the United States were constructed on the backs of enslaved Africans and the expropriated lands of Native American tribes. The transatlantic slave trade brought Africans to America, where their labor became the backbone of the burgeoning economy. Concurrently, the U.S. government’s treaties, such as those of 1868, promised land and resources to Native American tribes—promises that were frequently broken. These treaties allocated lands that were often unsuitable for agriculture or later reclaimed when valuable resources like gold were discovered.

A stark example is the Black Hills, sacred to the Lakota nation. When gold was found, the U.S. government reneged on its promises, seizing the land once again. This pattern of land theft and broken treaties is a common thread in the history of many Native American tribes. To this day, the U.S. government has yet to honor these treaties fully.

The concept of “stolen labor, stolen land” captures the dual exploitation that underpins American history. African labor was exploited through slavery, while Native lands were systematically taken and resources extracted without consent. This history of exploitation has yet to be reconciled with any form of substantial reparations.

In this context, the vehement opposition to modern immigration is perplexing and often hypocritical. Slavery was America’s first large-scale enterprise, paving the way for the nation’s economic dominance. Today, many immigrants, especially from Mexico and other parts of Latin America, take on jobs that many Americans are unwilling to do. Despite their essential contributions, these immigrants are frequently vilified and labeled as criminals.

What compounds this irony is the disconnect between the actions and the professed beliefs of many Americans who oppose immigration. Many of these individuals identify as religious, adhering to faiths that preach compassion, love for one’s neighbor, and support for the needy. Yet, their stance on immigration starkly contradicts these teachings, revealing a selective interpretation of their faith’s core tenets.

Consider the history of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Built on the site of the largest slave market in Eastern Africa during the 19th century, the cathedral’s basement still houses former slave corners, which the Anglican church offers tours of. The cathedral also has features that commemorate the slave market’s history, including an altar located where slaves were whipped, black cobblestones on the floor and among the benches to represent the dungeons used for slaves, and a memorial on the grounds to commemorate the tens of thousands of people who passed through the market. Can you imagine churchgoers singing hymns while, through the cracks of the wooden planks, they could see the eyes of enslaved children, women, men, and elders suffering horrific deaths below? The lack of moral integrity to worship God in a church that housed slaves, believing it was just, is unimaginable. If God created all things, all people, all nations, and all tongues, how could they justify such self-righteous ideology that excluded people of color from God’s love?

The Land Back Movement, led by Indigenous organizations, seeks to reclaim stolen lands and return them to Indigenous communities. This movement aims to address structural racism and white supremacy, securing an Indigenous future that includes environmental sustainability, economic justice, and self-determination. The movement also strives to restore aspects of life connected to the land, such as languages, ceremonies, food, housing security, and access to healthcare and education.

When we reflect on the capitalist exploitation of Black labor and the usurpation of Native American lands, we uncover a history steeped in violence and inequity. This history complicates contemporary views on immigration, which often lack the nuance and empathy needed to understand the full picture. While patriotism is celebrated, public education still fails to convey the true history of America. Columbus did not discover America; he encountered Indigenous peoples whose lives and cultures he exploited.

Immigration policies need structure, but the hate and misinformation that fuel opposition are harmful. These untruths masquerade as patriotism, perpetuating racism and division. For me, as a Native American woman and advocate, true patriotism involves telling the real story of this country. It means acknowledging the hardships, the stolen lands, and the stolen labor, and recognizing that America’s greatness comes from its diversity and unity. Recognizing and reckoning with this complex history is essential for mending the fractures in our society. In doing so, we aim to bridge our divides and correct historical falsehoods. Even if some may never acknowledge these stories, we must be the narrators of truth, honoring our ancestors who suffered more than we can imagine.