The Discursive Figuration of U.S. Supremacy in Narratives Sympathetic To Undocumented Immigrants

This article analyzes the immigration debate in the United States by examining its representation in mass media. An episode of the reality television program "30 Days," the documentary film "Under the Same Moon," the nonfiction book "Enrique's Journey," and the sho...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Lawston, Jodie Michelle (Author)
Contributors: Murillo, Ruben R.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2009
In: Social justice
Year: 2009, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 38-53
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Emigration & immigration > Social aspects
Immigrants > United States
Immigrants in mass media
Immigration enforcement
Immigration law > United States
Mexico-United States relations
Undocumented immigrants > United States
Description
Summary:This article analyzes the immigration debate in the United States by examining its representation in mass media. An episode of the reality television program "30 Days," the documentary film "Under the Same Moon," the nonfiction book "Enrique's Journey," and the short story "Cariboo Café" are examined. The debate is framed as divided between a belief that illegal U.S. immigrants should be prosecuted and deported and a belief that illegal U.S. immigrants should be accepted. Focus is given to U.S. immigrants from Mexico, and it is suggested that the U.S. is depicted as superior to Mexico across the media.