US Mexico Border Digital Media Archive - Alex D.

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3 things to know: The "crisis" at the border and in Trump's Homeland Security Department

The Trump administration says there's a "crisis" along the southern border, but there's a separate crisis in the Homeland Security Department.

Alan Gomez - April 9th, 2019 

News Article/Video 

Summary: 

As a new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security soon takes their position, Donald Trump’s decision to move “tougher” on immigration is stirring up a crisis of its own within the department and in Washington. The Trump administration is continuously blaming the immigrants from their countries’ problems, the democrats are asking for immigration reform and blaming the white house, while legal courts (court losses on asylum) are shutting down altogether. Though President Trump has backed off his plan Wall, he is still planning to implement other extreme measures, like finding new ways to limite asylum. 

Citation: 

Gomez, Alan. “3 Things to Know: The.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 9 Apr. 2019, www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/09/3-things-know-crisis-border-and-washington-homeland-security-trump-nielsen-alles-mcaleenan/3409360002/.

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Opinion | Trump’s Wall of Shame

It would stand as a lasting reminder of the white racial hostility surging through this moment in American history.

Jamelle Bouie - January 24th, 2019 

Opinion piece/Blog Post

Summary:

This post discusses the racial hostility within the building of the “wall.” The wall is intended to act as a stand-in for larger frameworks of thinking about racial and religious exclusion and domination. Moreover, the article discusses that erecting a wall is not going to stop what is causing migration to the united states border. This article speaks about the border crisis through symbolism of the repudiation of pluralism and inclusivity, making the wall akin to a modern-day Confederate monument. In other words, the wall symbolizes the white supremacist drive  “to upholding existing hierarchies and strengthening their material foundations.”

Citation: 

Bouie, Jamelle. “Trump's Wall of Shame.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Jan. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/opinion/trump-wall-shutdown.html.

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Kirstjen Nielsen Out As Secretary Of Homeland Security

Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen has resigned from her post, President Donald Trump announced Sunday evening

Andrea Gonzalez-Ramirez - April 7th, 2019 

Online Fashion Magazine/Website 

Summary: 

This post discusses Kirsjen Nielsen’s, Secretary of Homeland Security, resignation. Though there are many reasons to why she resigned, she was one of the main faces of the Trump administration’s  hard-lined immigration policies (separating families beginning late last year) . Often times, Nielsen was even criticized by Trump himself for not being hard enough on immigration . Her particular role in the border crisis, beyond being its face, was primarily speaking at hearings and in front of audience, more often that not, projecting falsified claims. Her resignation comes around the time when President Trump picked Kevin McAleenan, the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, to steer ICE in a tougher direction.

Citation: 

González-Ramírez, Andrea. “Kirstjen Nielsen Out As Secretary Of Homeland Security.” Refinery29, REFINERY29 INC, 7 Apr. 2019, www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/04/216878/kirstjen-nielsen-resignation-homeland-security-trump-administration.

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Donald Trump is right, there is a border crisis: Here's what caused it and what's being done about it

Donald Trump's solutions could make the crisis worse.

Nicole Goodkind - April 5th, 2019 

Article 

Summary: 

I picked this article for how it covered Trump’s trip to the border in Calexico, California on April 5th and the increasing crisis that is transpiring. The overwhelming surge in migration has not been seen like this since the early 2000s, which President Trump would attribute to a lack of wall and border security. In reality, it's the conditions of central america’s northern triangle that are driving these caravans and mass immigrations. 

Quotes:

El Salvador is currently the world’s most dangerous country not at war. In 2015, an investigation by Honduran newspaper La Prensa concluded that Salvadorans and Hondurans pay an estimated $390 million and $200 million in extortion fees to organized crime groups each year. Gangs typically target poor families and if they don’t pay they face threats of violence.

The fear that the president will soon make it more difficult to cross the border, has also led to a sudden surge in migration.

Citation: 

Goodkind, Nicole. “Donald Trump Is Right, There Is a Border Crisis: Here's What Caused It and What's Being Done about It.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2019, www.newsweek.com/border-crisis-donald-trump-immigration-1387585.

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Commentary: 12 astounding numbers that show the whole invasion of our border

How bad do things need to get?

Daniel Horowitz - March 8th, 2019

Blog post/Article

Summary: 

I picked this to show the other, more conservative side of viewing immigration. The mere title alone is an indicator of the kind of rhetoric that is used throughout, using the word “invasion” rather than mass immigration.  Though this is a highly opinionated piece, I thought it would be useful to show one of the more extreme sides of the spectrum in the debate on the “wall” and border crisis. The author then goes to list 12 numbers that are intended to shock the readers into thinking that a wall is not only okay, but necessary. 

quotes: 

The question for us all is how bad things need to get before we finally respect our own national sovereignty and stop allowing the courts to encourage illegal aliens to come here?

Citation: 

Horowitz, Daniel. “Commentary: 12 Astounding Numbers That Show the Whole Invasion of Our Border.” TheBlaze, TheBlaze, 8 Mar. 2019, www.theblaze.com/op-ed/12-astounding-numbers-border-invasion.

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Border Angels on Instagram: “Solidarity ✊🏽❤️ @osopepatrisse Similarly, those of us in Latinx communities need to hold our people accountable for the rampant anti-…”

2,799 Likes, 31 Comments - Border Angels (@borderangelsofficial) on Instagram: “Solidarity ✊🏽❤️ @osopepatrisse Similarly, those of us in Latinx communities need to hold our people…”

Border Angels Official - March 25th, 2019 

Instagram/Image

Summary: 

I chose this instagram post because I have often found that social media is a place to form solidarity and alliances. Though that is not always the case, Border Angels official screenshotted an article written about Patrisse Cullors (cofounder of Black Lives Matter), originally on Refinery29, discussing how it is everyone’s duty to stand up for immigration rights. I thought this was necessary to include because in such dark times, a post like this is both positive and allows different communities to strengthen their bonds with one another. Moreover, in the Border Angels caption, they discuss getting rid of anti-blackness within the Latinx community at large, which I think was also important in noting the implicit racism within latinx communities. 

Citation: 

Border Angels Official . “Border Angels on Instagram: ‘Solidarity ✊❤️ @Osopepatrisse Similarly, Those of Us in Latinx Communities Need to Hold Our People Accountable for the Rampant Anti-...".” Instagram, Border Angels Official , 25 Mar. 2019, www.instagram.com/p/BvdGVgFhugc/.

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MSNBC on Instagram: “Rep. Escobar, whose district includes #ElPaso, #Texas, calls for Homeland Security Sec. Nielsen to resign over her handling of the…”

3,168 Likes, 339 Comments - MSNBC (@msnbc) on Instagram: “Rep. Escobar, whose district includes #ElPaso, #Texas, calls for Homeland Security Sec. Nielsen to…”

MSNBC - March 28th, 2019

Instagram Post - Video 

caption: 

Rep. Escobar, whose district includes #ElPaso, #Texas, calls for Homeland Security Sec. Nielsen to resign over her handling of the #humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border - @velshiruhle.

Summary: 

The Instagram video is quick, yet gets the point across with Rep. Escobar speaking to the issue as well as showing visuals of children behind cages to evoke emotion and worry from the audience. The video also discusses how the Department of Homeland security is the most well resources and funded area of the federal government and how they should do a better job in finding a solution. 

Citation: 

MSNBC, and ProfilePage. “MSNBC on Instagram: ‘Rep. Escobar, Whose District Includes #ElPaso, #Texas, Calls for Homeland Security Sec. Nielsen to Resign over Her Handling of the...".” Instagram, MSNBC, 28 Mar. 2019, www.instagram.com/p/BvkGJ-Rh5WI/.

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𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔞𝔩 𝔣𝔢𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔰𝔱 on Instagram: “as if immigrants don't come via plane & boats.... ×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× ✩ Hi, it's Lia & follow @cute_feminist for more ! ✮…”

131 Likes, 10 Comments - 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔞𝔩 𝔣𝔢𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔦𝔰𝔱 (@cute_feminist) on Instagram: “as if immigrants don't come via plane & boats.... ×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× ✩ Hi, it's…”

Cute_Feminist - February 17th, 2019

Instagram/Image 

Summary: 

I picked this source because I wanted to see what was circulating around more general media, particularly younger teen and meme pages. I stumbled across this page that was very political and leaned more on the progressive side, while at the same time still would post about very contemporary topics like the Kardashians, Cardi B, Lori  Loughlin, etc. Cute_Feminist takes screenshots of messages she likes and overlays them on “cute” backgrounds. 

Citation: 

Cute_Feminist, and ProfilePage. “cute_feminist On Instagram: ‘as If Immigrants Don't Come via Plane & Boats.... ".” Instagram, Cute_Feminist, 17 Feb. 2019, www.instagram.com/p/Bt-vBYXF3N8/.

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VICE on Instagram: “While almost 70 percent of the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico lies along the southern part of Texas, we rarely see it from the…”

2,865 Likes, 34 Comments - VICE (@vice) on Instagram: “While almost 70 percent of the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico lies along the southern part of…”

VICE - May 5th, 2017

Instagram/Video 

Summary: 

Though I am sure they purposefully posted this video on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo), but regardless, this video is a preview of their short film called “Under Two Flags.” The film discusses what it is like to live in a place like El Paso, Texas and gives the state’s perspective on issues of immigration, speaking to local ranchers, students, scientists,  etc. The overall consensus was that no one was necessarily in favor of expanding a border wall, even back in 2017, and that because Texas’ borders home some of the nation’s pourest counties, Texas cannot afford to be split up by partisanship. 

Citation: 

VICE. “VICE on Instagram: ‘While Almost 70 Percent of the Boundary between the U.S. and Mexico Lies along the Southern Part of Texas, We Rarely See It from the...".” Instagram, VICE, 5 May 2017, www.instagram.com/p/BTuIfWKjyy5/.

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STREET🅿🅰TRIOT🇺🇸🇺🇸 on Instagram: “FACTS!! Mexico has already offered these people ASYLUM and yet they turned it down not because they dont like mexico, but because they are…”

6,952 Likes, 384 Comments - STREET🅿🅰TRIOT🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@real_streetpatriot) on Instagram: “FACTS!! Mexico has already offered these people ASYLUM and yet they turned it down not because they…”

Real_StreetPatriot - November 26, 2018 

Instagram/Video 

caption: 

FACTS!! Mexico has already offered these people ASYLUM and yet they turned it down not because they dont like mexico, but because they are not seeking asylum truly!! The just want to get into the country and are not seeking refuge they are seeking welfare 💯#LIBERALISM #LIBTARDS #MAGA#MTBCGA #BLEXIT #REALPATRIOT#STREETPATRIOT#BLACKSFORTRUMP#CONSERVATIVE #UNITE#INFOWARS #USA #GODGOTUS#2NDAMENDMENT #FREEDOM 🇺🇸

Summary:

I picked this post primarily because of the caption. The video is a repost from Fox 5 coverage of  Kirstjen Nielsen discussing what is not considered a basis for asylum under US Law after Trump’s administration began separating families. The caption takes this couple-second clip and says that people are leaving because they “don’t like mexico” and are seeking “welfare.” This is just one example of those being given the power to use social media to spread awareness, yet instead this is case of someone sharing their opinion, while not knowing any of the “FACTS,” he or she is discussing.  

Citation: 

Real_Street Patriot. “STREETPATRIOT on Instagram: ‘FACTS!! Mexico Has Already Offered These People ASYLUM and Yet They Turned It down Not Because They Dont like Mexico, but Because They Are...".” Instagram, Real_StreetPatriot , 26 Nov. 2018, www.instagram.com/p/BqpmxBigrli/.

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AMLO's new immigration chief vows kinder attitude toward migrants

The future chief of the National Immigration Institute has vowed that migrants will receive kinder attention under the new federal government.

Reforma/ Mexico News Daily - November 1st, 2018

News Article - ORIGINAL TEXT in Spanish 

Summary: 

I chose this article because it is the translated version of an article on Reforma. This article is important to the conversation of immigration because it discusses how those in Mexico/the Mexican media is viewing the issue. The Mexican media is painting the United States in a negative manner, choosing to highlight the cruelty and inhumane way the U.S. is going about dealing with immigrants and asylum seekers. Because Mexico is using the United States as an example, “the future chief of the National Immigration Institute (INM) has vowed that Central American migrants will receive kinder attention during the administration of the incoming federal government.”

Moreover, there is more sympathy, greater regard for human rights, and overall more of understanding of the harsh conditions that people fleeing are facing - “’We have to assume that the flow [of migrants] coming from Central America, and especially Honduras, are people who have been forced to leave their country for reasons such as violence, poverty and exclusion and that this situation is going to continue at least in the medium and short term,” Guillén said.”

Citation: 

“AMLO's New Immigration Chief Vows Kinder Attitude toward Migrants.” Mexico News Daily, Mexico News Daily , 1 Nov. 2018, mexiconewsdaily.com/news/new-immigration-chief-vows-kinder-attitude/.

I was only able to get access to Mexico News Daily, however, the original article and text was from Mexican newspaper Reforma (I am not subscribed so I could not view it in full)

https://www.reforma.com/aplicacioneslibre/preacceso/articulo/default.aspx?__rval=1&id=1529941&v=2&urlredirect=https://www.reforma.com/aplicaciones/articulo/default.aspx?id=1529941&v=2

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Trump's Phony Emergency Pushed America a Little Closer Toward a Real Crisis

It's another step down a road that could lead to the end of American democracy.

Harry Cheadle - February 15th, 2019 

Blog/Op-ed Piece 

Summary: 

As someone that reads Vice pretty regularly, it felt fitting to use one of their articles discussing Trump’s future plans and immigration policies, in very layman, matter-of-fact language. The article divulges on how this humanitarian crisis is creating a more polarizing crisis within our federal government and just how much the executive branch can or should be extended. Although both President’s Obama and Bush called their own emergencies, Cheadle alludes to the fact that the GOP has treated politics like an emergency for decades and ignores the rules of governing. 

Important quote: 

Noah Rothman called it the "crossing of the Rubicon," while Jonah Goldberg predicted it would be a "long-term gift to progressives." Both noted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already mused about declaring a state of emergency over gun violence. The darkest right-wing fantasy probably involves something like President Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declaring unilaterally in 2030 that airplanes are now banned as part of the Green New Deal Five-Year Plan.

It's easy to use the language of crisis, to say that swarms of refugees are swamping the southern border or that America is on the brink of socialism or sliding into the sea or teetering on the edge of a never-before-seen catastrophe. It's harder to identify which one of those things are real, urgent problems and solve them through a regular political process that inevitably involves some compromise. 

Citation: 

Cheadle, Harry. “Trump's Phony Emergency Pushed America a Little Closer Toward a Real Crisis.” Vice, VICE, 15 Feb. 2019, www.vice.com/en_us/article/wjmgp4/trumps-phony-emergency-pushed-america-a-little-closer-toward-a-real-crisis.

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U.S. faces ‘real, serious and sustained’ crisis at the border, Homeland Security chief insists

Democrats are questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Coleen Long - March 6th, 2019 

Global News Article 

Summary: 

This Global News article discusses one of the first times the newly Democratic-majority House was able to question Head of Homeland Security, Kristjen Nielsen on immigration and border security. The article has a 3 hour attached video as well with a recording of the hearing, led by Chairman Bennie Thompson. Moreover, she was drilled on the psychological repercussions of child separation that have occured from increased border security as well as the human rights violations. Thompson said that he wanted to use this hearing to allow Nielsen a place to speak that does not echo President Trump, however, she continued to perform a “verbal gymnastics” and avoid the questions.  

Citation: 

Long, Coleen. “U.S. Faces 'Real, Serious and Sustained' Crisis at the Border, Homeland Security Chief Insists.” Global News, Global News, a Division of Corus Entertainment Inc, 6 Mar. 2019, globalnews.ca/news/5026399/homeland-security-kirstjen-nielsen-border/.

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Trump Made Immigration More Popular in 2018

The more he rants about how immigrants cause crime, the less the country is persuaded.

Harry Cheadle - December 24th, 2018 

Vice Article/Opinion Piece

Summary: 

Because I had read other work by Harry Cheadle on Vice, I wanted to see what else he had written on immigration. Cheadle’s whole argument is that because Trump’s opinion is actually on the more unpopular side, even raising questions from the GOP’s standards, he may actually make people more in favor of immigration. 

ENCAPSULATING QUOTE: 

The good news is that polling in 2018 has fairly consistently shown that Americans disapprove of these cruel policies. A NPR-Ipsos poll from June found that there were stark partisan divides on immigration but overall, the wall, family separation, and restrictions on asylum seekers were not popular. The only immigration ideas that got a majority of support in that poll were a pathway to citizenship for dreamers (a Democratic priority) and fining employers who hire undocumented workers, which is just about the only restrictionist position Trump hasn't pushed hard for, perhaps because his golf clubs have hired undocumented workers.

Citation: 

Cheadle, Harry. “Trump Made Immigration More Popular in 2018.” Vice, VICE, 24 Dec. 2018, www.vice.com/en_us/article/9k4m85/trump-made-immigration-more-popular-in-2018.

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Matthew Gertz on Twitter

“More screengrabs from the rest of the 6 am and 7 am hour.”

Matthew Gertz - November 26th, 2018

Twitter Thread

Summary:

This twitter thread from Matthew Gertz of Media Matters is perfect for looking at the multiple Fox News headlines discussing the border crisis. I chose this twitter threat because it is extremely progressive media reporting on other conservative media’s take on the border crisis. 

Citation: 

Gertz, Matthew. “More Screengrabs from the Rest of the 6 Am and 7 Am Hour.” Twitter, Twitter, 26 Nov. 2018, twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1067033752356962306?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1067033752356962306&ref_url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/26/18112360/fox-news-caravan-coverage-border-tear-gas.

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ICE paid estimated $807 million to 19 private detention centers in fiscal 2018: report

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in fiscal 2018 paid an estimated $807 million to 19 private or privately operated detention centers used to detain migrants, according to a

Emily Birnbaum - December 27th, 2018 

Article 

Summary: 

This article is significant because it talks about one aspect of the border crisis/security/immigration conversation I knew very little about. The Hill article specifically talks about for-profit detention centers, mentioning that in the fiscal year of 2018, $807 million dollars was given to 19 detention centers around the nation by ICE. The article also mentions how the immigrants and detainees that stay at these for-profit detention centers are forced to work, sometimes for maximum $1 a day, so a myriad of lawsuits have sprung from that as well. 

Citation: 

Birnbaum, Emily. “ICE Paid Estimated $807 Million to 19 Private Detention Centers in Fiscal 2018: Report.” TheHill, TheHill, 27 Dec. 2018, thehill.com/latino/422974-ice-paid-estimated-807-million-for-private-detention-centers-in-fiscal-2018-report.

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For Private Prisons, Detaining Immigrants Is Big Business

A surging inmate population in the 1980s led to a boom in for-profit prisons. Today, privately run prisons have become the government’s default detention centers for undocumented migrants.

Clyde Haberman - October 1st, 2018 

News Article/Video 

Summary: 

This post describes how private prisons are cashing in on Trump’s “get tough” on immigration policy. Does it matter that detention is heavily privatized? This is ultimately the question it tries to answer. There is no care for the health of the detainees, primarily when it comes to food. When detainees tried to throw a hunger strike at GEO, Adelanto ICE processing center, they were met with even more physical abuse being pepper sprayed and thrown into hot showers. This kind of treatment is a result of being privately run, whose main goal is to maximize profit, providing individuals with the barest necessities possible. The video also gets into a little bit of the history of the privatization of detention centers and how it has come to be a billion dollar industry. 

Citation: 

Haberman, Clyde. “For Private Prisons, Detaining Immigrants Is Big Business.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/us/prisons-immigration-detention.html.

Video hyperlink:

https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000006133806/private-prisons-immigrants.html?action=click>ype=vhs&version=vhs-heading&module=vhs®ion=title-area&cview=true&t=112