What is Xenophobia?

Xenophobia can be described as fear, hatred, or prejudice against those different from you. The object of xenophobia may be anything considered strange or unknown to an individual or group, including those of different nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, regions, religions, cultures, or neighborhoods. Individuals who demonstrate xenophobia often believe their culture, ethnicity, race, or social group is superior to others.
Xenophobic attitudes and behaviors may appear in many contexts in everyday life, and they aren’t necessarily violent. Some individuals could be unaware that they are expressing a xenophobic attitude.
Xenophobia can have a significant impact not only on the targeted group or individual but on societies, cultural attitudes, politics, history, and economics. Colloquially, xenophobia refers to the behavior of a group or an individual based on the intense dislike of or intolerance for people of another race or culture.
Xenophobia could also be based on a perceived threat. For example, someone may believe that immigrants from specific countries are criminals or will harm their livelihood. The level of fear or hatred displayed with xenophobia often exceeds typical discrimination or prejudice.