"In a land of immigrants, one was not an alien but simply the latest arrival"

Rudolf Arnheim’s observation illuminates the evolving nature of belonging and identity within societies shaped by migration. In a nation characterized by waves of newcomers, the concept of an “alien”, someone fundamentally other or foreign, is rendered almost meaningless. Each individual who arrives becomes woven into the larger tapestry of the community, not as an outsider, but as part of an ongoing process of collective transformation. The focus shifts from nationalistic gatekeeping toward a recognition of commonality among those who have come seeking opportunity or refuge, regardless of their origin.

The word “alien” traditionally implies estrangement, something or someone fundamentally different from those already present. But in immigrant societies, every established citizen traces roots to journeys that began elsewhere. The line separating “insider” from “outsider” blurs, revealing the arbitrary nature of exclusion. The latest arrival does not threaten the character of the nation, but continues a cycle as old as the country itself. Legacies of language, culture, cuisine, and custom illustrate how openness and continual adaptation define the national character far more than static notions of identity.

Arnheim’s sentiment also offers subtle criticism of policies or attitudes that treat immigrants as perpetual strangers. Such perspectives ignore the shared experience of arrival and adaptation, and miss the collective richness generated through diversity. By framing newcomers as the “latest arrival” rather than “aliens,” there is an implicit invitation to broader empathy, an acknowledgment that everyone was new once, that borders and belonging are historical constructs in a society shaped by movement.

This reframing encourages societies to see migration as a fundamental driver of growth and renewal, not a disruption to an imagined homogeneity. The narrative turns away from suspicion and fear, celebrating instead the dynamic and ever-changing nature of communities that welcome those who come, seeking to become part of something greater.