CONTENT:
The US administration's latest National Security Strategy (NSS) document, published late last year, has sparked controversy and alarm for its dismissal of European alliances, previewing interventions in Latin America, and aligning closely with the priorities of the Kremlin (The Guardian, 2025a, 2025b, 2025c). The document's condemnation of immigrants, particularly its claim that "unchecked migration" is leading to "civilizational erasure" in Europe, has also raised eyebrows (CBS News, 2025). However, a closer look at history reveals that open borders have been a common trend among American nations, challenging the Trump administration's anti-immigrant narrative.
Historically, the US has cited the "wisdom" of its immigration policies as a model for the world (White House, 2025). Yet, Daniel Mendiola, in his Guardian op-ed, argues that "nation states in the Americas have spent more time with open borders than closed" (Mendiola, 2026). The Americas' history of open borders can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era, where indigenous peoples had extensive trade networks that crossed modern-day borders (Mendiola, 2026).
European colonizers continued this trend, with borders being porous during the colonial period (Mendiola, 2026). For instance, during the 18th century, the French and Spanish territories in North America had open borders, allowing for the exchange of goods, people, and ideas (Mendiola, 2026). This trend continued into the 19th century, with the signing of the Rush-Bagot Treaty in 1817, which established peaceful relations between the United States and Canada and effectively created an open border between the two nations (Mendiola, 2026).
Moreover, open borders have been a feature of several Latin American nations. For example, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Argentina and Uruguay experienced significant European immigration, leading to a "melting pot" of cultures and the creation of new identities (Mendiola, 2026). Similarly, Brazil, which has the largest African diaspora in the world, has a long history of open borders, with millions of enslaved Africans being brought to the country (Mendiola, 2026).
In the modern era, open borders have played a crucial role in shaping the Americas. For instance, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created an integrated North American economy, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, and people between Canada, Mexico, and the United States (Mendiola, 2026).
Despite this historical evidence, the Trump administration's NSS document demonizes immigrants and portrays open borders as a threat. However, as Mendiola argues, "the history of the Americas challenges the Trump administration's narrative that open borders are a recent phenomenon and that they are inherently dangerous" (Mendiola, 2026).
In conclusion, the Trump administration's anti-immigrant rhetoric and its call for closed borders is at odds with the historical reality of open borders in the Americas. From the pre-Columbian era to the modern day, open borders have played a crucial role in shaping the Americas, fostering the exchange of goods, services, and people, and creating new identities. As the world grapples with the challenges of migration and globalization, it is essential to draw on historical evidence and challenge narrow, divisive narratives that demonize immigrants and seek to close borders.
References:
The Guardian. (2025a). Trump hails Putin as a 'competitor' but pledges to 'guard against threats' to US. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/07/trump-putin-nato-russia-kremlin-hails-trump-national-security-strategy
The Guardian. (2025b). Trump's national security strategy: the key points. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/trump-europe-national-security-strategy
The Guardian. (2025c). Trump threatens Nato allies with military action over Greenland. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/14/how-far-will-europe-be-willing-to-go-to-defend-greenland-against-trump
The Guardian. (2026). What Trump is forgetting: American nations have a long history of open borders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/04/what-trump-is-forgetting-american-nations-have-a-long-history-of-open-borders
CBS News. (2025). Trump administration's national security strategy: Europe faces 'civilizational erasure' from 'unchecked migration'. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-national-security-strategy-europe-civilizational-erasure/
White House. (2025). 2025 National Security Strategy. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf