On Nov. 8, 2016, Donald J. Trump stunned the world with his seemingly improbable victory. The outcome of such a polarizing competition prompted some to rejoice and others to riot in the streets. Throughout the campaign trail and into his presidency, Trump has emphasized the importance of prioritizing Americans in all aspects of life, including economics, immigration, and social welfare. This “America First” philosophy is a commitment to addressing the needs of our own nation before acting in the interests of other countries. Despite President Trump’s raucous behavior, the Trump administration’s foreign and domestic policies have brought far more good than harm to our country.

Trump’s pro-business attitude stimulated the booming economic growth that immediately followed his election. Contrary to what many analysts predicted, the multiple record highs experienced by the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq signal an increase in confidence among investors. The 298,000 private- sector jobs created in the month of February, as reported by the ADP National Employment Report, is a yet another sign of that economic confidence. This directly correlates with Trump’s executive order to cut unnecessarily restrictive business regulations that thwart growth among small businesses.

Furthermore, prominent politicians from every party vocalized their opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a deal that economists say would incentivize businesses to outsource jobs overseas. The deal mandated lower tariffs, which encourage businesses to import products from low-wage countries rather than having them manufactured in the U.S.

Domestically, workers are protected by minimum wage and safety requirements while their international counterparts are subjected to extremely harsh, sweatshop conditions. Within his first few days in office, Trump boldly withdrew the United States from the TPP. Abandoning the deal set by his predecessor not only delivered on his campaign promise of putting America first, but it subsequently saved the livelihoods of those here and abroad.

Furthermore, Trump’s immigration policies have cut illegal immigration by 40 percent in just one month. Securing the border is essential because it is the government’s obligation to first protect its citizens from threats foreign and domestic. An open border system threatens that security and instead leaves us with a degree of uncertainty as to who is entering our country. Many of those who illegally cross through the border jeopardize their lives and leave them in the hand of “coyotes.”

The merit-based immigration system proposed by the Trump administration grants more good, hardworking immigrants the opportunity to pursue their American dream while simultaneously cutting down on the number of potentially dangerous criminals.

Many have also called Trump divisive following his “Muslim ban.” However, this was no attack on religion, but it is a preventative measure regarding the inevitable cultural incompatibility that every pro-refugee European country has experienced. All six countries that the order bars travel from have a history of human rights violations, gender inequality, homophobia, and Islamic code written into their state law.

Those fleeing from these countries should prove that they are willing to renounce the cultural ideals of their theocracies and instead assimilate into American culture. This is neither an act of populism nor xenophobia; rather, it is the preservation of the virtuous ideals of free speech, democracy, and equality. Understanding the sanctity of these concepts merits entry into the country.

Unification, economic growth, and the preservation of American ideals are essential to the prosperity of our nation. Instead of letting political polarization tear us apart, we, as Americans, need to unify under our president and embrace the coming changes for the better.