Theories of Political Cartoons

Framing of Immigration through Political Cartoons     A "Breaking Borders" Production
2010
As a group, we wanted to make a focus of the cartoons from this year that most recently depict the immigration debate. These contemporary cartoons feature President Obama many times, and often have a pro-immigration sentiment. However, the other side is portrayed as well. Contemporary immigration cartoons are just as hot a commodity as current cartoons about the battles in the Middle East, the recession, the election Nov. 2, and the debate about the Park51 Islam community center two blocks from Ground Zero, in New York City. View examples of these current cartoons on the first tab, titled "2010."
Other cartoons that we analyzed frame Pres. Obama as one who may be against undocumented workers, but is willing to let them in if it helps to further his political platform and earn him votes. Obama was framed as the Statue of Liberty, a donkey, and a magician, to name a few, as can be seen in the "Obama" tab.
Historical
Although plenty of cartoonists are feasting on the current debate, especially because of the passion on either side, and framing it in different ways, this isn't the first time that a similar debate has raged- and that includes the youthful 200-plus years of this country. This "Historical" tab will show examples of how other nationalities have faced similar struggles in entering the country, whether it be the Chinese, Irish, or an array of others. A particular point of notice is how the immigrants are portrayed as pesky and oftentimes, quite evil, suggesting that these new members of the country will do nothing but bring problems and sorrow to a country founded on courage and righteous principles.
International
The United States is not the only nation to struggle in determining whether or not to permit immigrants to enter their country without legal documentation. On this tab can be found plenty of examples of especially-European countries who have faced similar crises. Many of these nations are framed as power-hungry and domineering through drawings of their fine attire and condescending attitude.
Pro-Immigration
Many political cartoons that we have researched and analyzed have a pro-immigration flavor. Cartoonists used emotional empathy with scenes like undocumented workers building a fence that will eventually keep them out of the United States, all for five bucks an hour. Many pro-immigration cartoonists framed the government to be evil and self-serving to invoke further empathy for the undocumented and their desperate plea to gain greater freedoms in this country. Others used iconic symbols like the State of Liberty and Uncle Sam, framing them as tyrants, to try to display the idea that cruel treatment from those who are supposed to represent the ideals of the country are the ones who are cutting the undocumented workers short of rights that they deserve. Examples can be viewed in the "pro-immigration" tab.
Anti-Immigration
On the other hand, there were some anti-immigration cartoons framed to make the undocumented workers seem lazy, pesky, or leeches of the benefits of the United States. In this kind of framing, everything was done to cause the reader to view those who crossed the border as annoying to invoke the thought that they aren't worth being here, especially because they broke the law to do it. See examples in the "anti-immigration" tab.