Recent political divisions, terrorist acts and fear-mongering have been damning for the immigrant image.

When it comes to noting a criminal's immigrant or immigrant-parent status, certain media outlets are quick to pop in the same stock phrases.

Likewise, certain politicians (not naming any names… *cough* Trump *cough* Farage *cough* Le Pen) have scapegoated both legal and illegal immigrants for a multitude of issues concerning crime, unemployment and more.

These views are then passed around in conversations, in newspapers and mirrored on TV.

Unfortunately, despite the multitude of realities that exist in immigrant populations, we only end up seeing some variation of the same story.

Thankfully, things are changing. TV shows like Master of None and books like The Good Immigrant, are portraying the variety, reality and positivity of the immigrant 'experience' (hint - there isn't just one).

Likewise, there is a new hashtag being used widely across the USA, which serves to highlight the successes of immigrants and children of immigrants, breaking down the often-negative rhetoric surrounding this community.

#Immigrad was set up by Define America, which is a, 'non-profit media and culture organisation that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants and identity'.

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With this in mind, the hashtag was created as an opportunity for immigrants, or children of immigrants, to share their success stories at school. It's a useful, necessary way to take control of their own narrative.

A popular way of showing off their achievements is by decorating mortarboards (those square academic caps) with kick-ass slogans like, 'my dreams have no borders', 'undocumented and educated' and, our personal favourite, 'job-stealing immigrant'.

These hashtags have flooded Instagram in America as Graduation season kicks into full swing.

People clearly have stories to tell and people they'd like to thank - all they've needed is the opportunity to do it.

Now the #Immigrad gives them that platform, as well as the perfect collection of 'f you's' to show anyone who dare harbour immigrant prejudice.

The hashtag also gives students an opportunity to thank their parents for everything they have done to help them get to this point.

The next step? To get this trending in the UK - there are so many important stories we need to hear.

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Daisy Murray
Digital Fashion Editor

Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.