Last Updated On 20 August 2025, 6:10 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

In a striking twist, a growing number of established immigrants in Canada are embracing anti-immigration rhetoric, challenging the country’s long-standing reputation as a beacon of multiculturalism.

Behind this shift lies a complicated connection among survival, ambition, and the pursuit of social acceptance.

As Canada grapples with evolving immigration policies and societal tensions, this phenomenon is reshaping political landscapes and sparking heated debates.

Some immigrants already settled in Canada are echoing anti-immigration sentiment stating that Canada is unable to absorb and provide enough economic opportunities to newcomers.

They believe that it is even unfair for newcomers to not knowing that making a move to Canada and then realizing the ongoing housing, unemployment, and inflation after landing here.

So let’s examine deeper bitter reasons why are some immigrants opposing newcomers for their good, and what does this mean for Canada’s future?

A Personal Journey: From Newcomer to Gatekeeper

Consider the story of Arjun, a 25-year-old second-generation Canadian whose parents arrived from Sri Lanka in the 1990s.

Arjun, a pseudonym used to protect his identity, shared his perspective in a recent study conducted by Dr. Anika Patel, a sociology professor at McGill University.

Growing up in a low-income neighbourhood in Vancouver, Arjun witnessed his parents struggle to navigate Canada’s social safety net.

His father, a former mechanic in Colombo, worked long hours as a delivery driver, while his mother balanced multiple part-time jobs.

When Arjun was a teenager, his family faced eviction after provincial welfare reforms slashed benefits, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Despite these hardships, Arjun now supports stricter immigration policies, a stance that surprises many.

“Once you’re here, you’re Canadian,” he told Dr. Patel. “You have to protect what you’ve earned.”

Arjun’s views reflect a broader trend among some established immigrants who, after overcoming systemic barriers, advocate for policies that limit opportunities for new arrivals.

His story highlights a growing divide: immigrants who once benefited from Canada’s open-door policies are now calling for those doors to close.

The Data Behind the Divide

Recent polls reveal a seismic shift in immigrant attitudes.

A 2025 survey by Vision Canada, conducted with research firm InsightPulse, found that 68% of immigrants who have lived in Canada for over five years support tougher regulations on international students and temporary workers.

This marks a stark departure from the early 2000s, when immigrants in urban hubs like Toronto and Vancouver overwhelmingly backed progressive, pro-immigration parties like the Liberals or NDP.

A 2024 study from the University of British Columbia’s Urban Futures Institute further confirms that immigrant voters in Canada’s largest cities are increasingly leaning toward conservative ideologies.

Among South Asian immigrants, this shift is even more pronounced.

A 2025 InsightPulse poll revealed that 75% of South Asian Canadians, particularly those settled for over a decade, favour stricter immigration controls.

Another 2024 survey indicated that 52% of South Asian immigrants believe Canada’s immigration targets—set to welcome 470,000 newcomers in 2024 and 510,000 in 2026—were “too high.”

These numbers reflect a growing sentiment that new immigrants strain resources and disrupt the “Canadian way of life.”

Social media platforms like X amplify these views.

On forums, established immigrants often express frustration with newcomers, accusing them of failing to integrate.

One user, identifying as a second-generation Indian Canadian, wrote, “We worked hard to build a life here. Newcomers need to respect our values, not dilute them.”

Such rhetoric underscores a desire to distance oneself from newer, often more marginalized, immigrant groups.

The Pursuit of Privilege

Dr. Patel’s research, published in the 2025 Journal of Social Dynamics, offers insight into this phenomenon.

She argues that some established immigrants adopt conservative policies as a “social strategy” to align with Canada’s power structures, often associated with wealthier, white communities.

“By opposing immigration, they’re signalling their belonging to the Canadian mainstream,” Patel explains.

“It’s a way to shed the ‘outsider’ label and claim proximity to privilege.”

This strategy often involves drawing boundaries between “deserving” and “undeserving” immigrants.

For example, Arjun criticized family reunification programs, despite his parents having arrived through a similar pathway.

“That was different,” he insisted. “My parents worked hard to prove themselves. Today’s newcomers expect handouts.”

This mindset reflects a broader trend where established immigrants frame themselves as “model citizens” while casting newer arrivals as threats to social cohesion.

The Role of Identity Politics

The rise of Hindu nationalist groups in Canada further illustrates this dynamic.

Some South Asian immigrants, particularly from upper-caste backgrounds, are aligning with right-wing parties like the Conservative Party of Canada, led by figures like Daniel Lefebvre.

In a 2024 X post, Lefebvre praised a Hindu advocacy group for its stance against “uncontrolled immigration” and its emphasis on “cultural integration.”

Such rhetoric resonates with immigrants seeking to align with Canada’s “core values,” often equated with white, middle-class norms.

A 2025 Angus Reid poll found that 55% of Hindu Canadians now support the Conservative Party, a significant jump from a decade ago.

Lefebvre has actively courted this demographic, attending cultural events and addressing concerns about “cultural erosion.”

However, critics argue this outreach fuels divisive narratives.

For instance, Lefebvre’s 2024 comments condemning “anti-Hindu sentiment” have been criticized as a dog whistle to deflect scrutiny of caste-based discrimination within South Asian communities.

The Caste Connection

Caste remains a contentious issue in Canada’s South Asian diaspora.

The Caste in Canada initiative, led by researchers Dr. Neha Kaur and Dr. Vikram Sethi, documents how Dalit Canadians face social exclusion, workplace bias, and even verbal harassment from fellow South Asians.

Many Dalits report hiding their caste identity to avoid stigma, a practice that persists across generations.

In 2023, the Vancouver School Board proposed a policy to address caste-based discrimination, but it faced pushback from groups like the Canadian Hindu Unity Network, which called the initiative “divisive” and “anti-Hindu.”

Dr. Patel argues that denying casteism is a tactic to maintain a “respectable” immigrant identity.

“Acknowledging caste discrimination risks tarnishing the ‘model minority’ image,” she says.

“For some, aligning with conservative narratives is a way to assert moral superiority and distance themselves from marginalized groups, even within their own communities.”

The Populist Paradox

This alignment with right-wing politics creates what scholars call the “populist paradox.”

Conservative leaders gain support by appealing to established immigrants’ desire for acceptance, while immigrants leverage these alliances to climb the social ladder.

However, this comes at a cost.

“The promise of equality is often illusory,” says Dr. Ranjit Kaur, director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Simon Fraser University.

“Immigrants may gain temporary favour, but systemic barriers persist.”

For example, while conservative parties court South Asian voters, their policies often prioritize tax cuts and deregulation, which disproportionately benefit wealthier Canadians.

Meanwhile, social programs that once supported newcomers—like affordable housing or job training—are often deprioritized.

This leaves newer immigrants, who face higher barriers to entry, in a precarious position.

Canada’s multiculturalism narrative, once a point of national pride, is under strain.

The shift among established immigrants reflects broader anxieties about economic competition, housing shortages, and cultural identity.

A 2025 Environics Institute report found that 60% of racialized Canadians believe “too many immigrants fail to adopt Canadian values,” a sharp rise from previous years.

These tensions are visible in everyday interactions.

In Toronto, community forums have seen heated debates over international student programs, with some established immigrants accusing newcomers of “exploiting” Canada’s education system.

What Lies Ahead?

The growing anti-immigrant sentiment among established immigrants raises critical questions about Canada’s future.

Will multiculturalism remain a cornerstone of national identity, or will it fracture under the weight of competing interests?

For now, the trend suggests a redefinition of “Canadianness,” one that prioritizes individual success over collective solidarity.

Addressing the tensions requires open dialogue about systemic inequities, from housing to healthcare to education.

As Canada navigates this new reality, stories like Arjun’s serve as a reminder: immigration is not just about crossing borders but about the complex journey of belonging.

For some, that journey leads to unexpected alliances—and a willingness to lock the gate behind them.

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Purnima Mann

Purnima Mann, a news writer passionate about delivering insightful and well-researched articles. From current affairs to finance and culture , I aim to inform, engage, and spark meaningful discussions. Stay informed and explore new perspectives with me.