Beyond Perception: Rethinking Immigration Policy in a Globalized World
The billboard in Montijo Portugal displayed “Isto Não é O Bangladesh” (“This is not Bangladesh”), which triggered strong outrage from immigrant communities and anti-racism groups. The slogan promoted by André Ventura’s far-right populist Chega party, was more than just an election campaign slogan, it reflected a broader sentiment among the public that immigration is overwhelming Europe.
The controversy quickly spread beyond the streets. Social media played a critical role in spreading the message, turning it viral through emotional posts and misleading images circulated by the populist party. In recent years, populist parties around the world have increasingly relied on digital platforms to shape public opinion and advance their campaign messages. These platforms are often used to spread simplified or emotionally charged narratives about complex issues like immigration. Users sometimes share videos from unrelated cultural events, editing them with deceptive titles and descriptions to make them appear as immigrant-related disturbances. Such strategies exploit visual differences and cultural unfamiliarity to trigger public anxieties, deepening social divisions. This type of content fuels fear and plays a powerful role in shaping political discourse by falsifying information and altering perception.
Across Europe, surveys reveal a striking pattern: people believe their nations host significantly more immigrants than they do. In 2023, Research conducted by Miano and her colleagues demonstrated that French, German and British citizens incorrectly believe their countries welcome twice as many immigrants as actual statistics show. This pattern can also be seen in Portugal. The incorrect understanding of immigration numbers enables politicians to use fear-based strategies even though immigration numbers remain low. Ironically, even Portuguese immigrants have faced hostility in Britain, showing that prejudice isn’t directed at just one group. At its core, this kind of tension often comes from fear shaped by perception rather than reality.
Why does this happen? Social perception often exaggerates differences. Imagine a colour palette of soft tones; if one shade is dark, it instantly stands out. Its prominence doesn’t mean it dominates; it only contrasts with the rest. In societies, just like in art, perception shapes reality. What stands out visually or culturally draws attention not because it overwhelms, but because it contrasts. Immigration works the same way: small differences in language, dress, or custom can seem much larger than they are. Media sensationalism, political rhetoric, and visible cultural contrasts amplify this perception, turning a modest demographic shift into a supposed “invasion.”
In today’s global economy, migration is no longer driven only by poverty or war—it is deeply connected to global economic restructuring. Social instability is frequently caused by development initiatives, foreign investment, and export-oriented industries that displace local businesses and create inequality within the societies. As a result, many young people are compelled by this instability and look for opportunities abroad through student visas or work permits. Migration has become one of the side effects of globalization, where uneven development and economic integration drive people to move across borders in search of a better life. Most migrants from South Asia and the Global South who come to Europe are not just escaping conflict rather than they are chasing opportunity. They take vital occupations that support local economies, such as those in construction, cleaning, and food services. However, they are frequently portrayed in public discourse as a burden rather than a contributor. According to Portugal’s Ministry of Labor, immigrants paid about €3.6 billion into Social Security in 2024 but received only €687 million in benefits. This means they made a clear positive contribution to the country, although facts like this rarely get attention on social media.
On the other side of the coin, immigrants need to take responsibility for their actions because their actions create social divisions which lead to public tension. The refusal of immigrants to integrate into local culture and society leads to public opposition against immigration in numerous host countries. People sometimes express concern when immigrants form separate communities, do not learn the national language, or ignore local customs. In some cases, when immigrants face discrimination or unemployment, a few may turn to illegal activities, which only increases fear and resentment within the community.
Fear of immigrants is often not just about their nationality, race, or skin color, but more about economic and cultural differences. People sometimes show dislike toward poverty itself and toward people who seem poor. The social expectations of the host country become difficult for immigrants to fulfill when they work in low-paying jobs which results in negative public perception. Immigrants send most of their earnings to their families in their home countries because they want to show their love and help their family members escape poverty. The practice of sending money back home for family support creates social and cultural gaps because immigrants dedicate their resources to supporting their families instead of building their lives in their new country. The negative perception of immigrants grows stronger because populist politicians use immigration as a tool to create fear about national identity and social order. To reduce these tensions, immigrants should actively engage with the host society, respect its laws and traditions, and focus on building bridges rather than walls between communities, so that division and fear can be removed from both sides.
The immigration debate exists beyond the basic conflict between local and newcomers. In many countries, minority groups and former immigrants who have already become citizens sometimes support strict immigration policies. For example, in the United States, some Black and Latino voters have supported leaders like Donald Trump, even though he takes a tough stance on immigration. Sociologists see this as a mix of economic self-interest and social identity: once people feel secure in their position, they may fear competition from new arrivals or follow dominant political ideas to show they belong. The same pattern exists in European countries where children of immigrants sometimes support nationalist ideologies. This shows that immigration debates are not only about culture but also about changing identities and ambitions within immigrant communities themselves.
Local people often have real concerns about housing shortages, job competition, pressure on public services, and rapid cultural changes—especially in areas where the population is growing quickly. For instance, hospitals may experience treatment delays because of a lack of doctors and more patients, which some residents blame on increasing immigrant numbers. While immigration can put some pressure on existing systems, the main causes usually come from wider policy failures, such as poor housing planning, underfunded healthcare, and weak labour protections. To tackle these issues, governments should modernize their administrative systems by digitalizing public services and using data-based tools, including artificial intelligence, to make them more efficient and accessible. At the same time, they need to create data-driven policies that balance economic growth with social harmony, while the media should focus on facts instead of fear. Solving these structural issues and encouraging inclusive policies will bring benefits to both immigrants and local communities.
As a master’s candidate in International Development & Public Policy, and as an migrant student living in Portugal, I believe that governments should provide reliable information about immigration and develop clear policies that plan for how many immigrants are needed to support future economic growth. Many developed countries today have aging populations and lower birth rates, which are creating labour shortages and slowing economic growth. On the other hand, developing countries have large numbers of young people who are ready to work and contribute to the global economy. With the right immigration policies, these two realities can complement each other — helping aging societies fill labour gaps while giving younger generations fair chances to build better futures. In the end, immigrants and locals share the same hopes—a better future, a safe and secure society, and access to good education—which can form the foundation for mutual respect and a more inclusive community.
Written by Humayun Ahmed, Student of the Master in International Development and Public Policy at Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, Portugal.
