Japan Immigration News

(BBC)Joe Biden calls US allies India and Japan 'xenophobic'

Release Date: 2024-05-03
Media: BBC
Summary: President Joe Biden recently referred to Japan, India, Russia, and China as "xenophobic" countries that "don't want immigrants" during a fundraising event in Washington, D.C. His comments, which were aimed at emphasizing the economic benefits of immigration, came just weeks after he praised the US-Japan alliance as "unbreakable" during a state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Biden argued that countries like China, Japan, Russia, and India are struggling economically because they reject immigration, contrasting this with the U.S.'s economic success due to its welcoming stance on immigrants. While his remarks were intended to underscore the U.S.'s identity as a nation of immigrants, they have drawn criticism, particularly from U.S. commentators who believe it was disrespectful to Japan and India, both important U.S. allies.

The White House clarified that Biden’s comments were not intended to offend, but rather to highlight the benefits of immigration to economic growth. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that Biden values the partnerships with these countries, and that they understand the importance of these alliances.

Despite this, experts, including Sadanand Dhume from the American Enterprise Institute, predicted that Biden's comments would not be well received in India, particularly as nationalism is on the rise there. Similarly, Japan has historically had restrictive immigration policies, but has recently sought to address its population decline by allowing more foreign workers.

Biden’s remarks also come amid ongoing criticism of his immigration policies at home, with both political sides dissatisfied with his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Tags: Immigration Policy

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