Immigrant Scapegoats

Updated April 24, 2008 12:01 a.m. ET

As the U.S. economy softens, look for anti-immigrant sentiment to harden, at least in the short run. America has a history of welcoming foreigners in search of a better life. But we also have a habit of blaming business cycle downturns in part on our newest arrivals. In times past, that's meant scapegoating the Irish, the Italians or the Chinese for higher unemployment and slower economic growth. Today, it means blaming Latinos.

This month brought the steepest job decline in five years, and the unemployment rate has risen...

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