Final answer:
Economic uncertainties and job competition have historically increased xenophobia in America, where immigrants are often blamed for economic difficulties, leading to restrictive immigration policies and legislation under the guise of job security for native citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rising unemployment and economic uncertainty greatly contributed to feelings of xenophobia in America. During periods of economic downturn, such as the recession of 2008, nationalistic sentiments and nativism increase, often culminating in a hostile attitude towards immigrants. This xenophobia is linked to fears that immigrants are taking jobs or benefiting from the economy at the expense of native-born citizens. These concerns were historically exploited by political figures, who would blame immigrants for various societal issues rather than seeking structural solutions. Legislation like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1924 were forms of institutionalized racism prompted by such fears. These acts were supported by notions suggesting that immigrants, particularly from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, were threats to the job security and cultural identity of native-born Americans. Moreover, the economic competition caused by globalization has exacerbated these sentiments, as corporations cater to xenophobic tendencies by presenting products as American-made despite being produced overseas.