Legal & Illegal Immigration Labor

Publication__United Feature Syndicate___    Date:_2010_

Cartoonist:__Bill Day_______                           U.S./International

Title of the cartoon: __Legal and Illegal Immigration Labor__

What action is taking place in the cartoon?

Two men complain about immigrants, but then the one man compliments

the other’s home. It then shows the home and what both illegal and

legal immigrants have done to make U.S. houses and yards look good.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) positive or negative framing of undocumented immigrants

2) positive or negative framing of immigration policies

What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

Americans complain about how immigrants are horrible to have in America; they are lazy, steal, deal drugs, kill cops, only speak their native language, have too big of families, and are a threat to American lifestyles. The two American men are framed to be the bad guys because of their hypocrisy. They complain about how horrible immigrants are, yet they benefit from the labor of both documented and undocumented workers. It shows that despite our stereotypes for Mexicans, they really do benefit our society and generally help more than hurt. It depicts Americans as whiners who sit around, while immigrants get things done. Though the view of these American characters is stretched, it does reflect the extreme views of many Americans in real life. 

Obama & Immigrants

Publication__MSNBC_______________     Date:__2010__

Cartoonist: __Daryl Cagle____________      U.S./International

Title of the cartoon:__No Title_________

What action is taking place in the cartoon?

Obama is telling the immigrants to leave the U.S. after closing down their corporate employers but asks them to have their children to come back and vote for the Democrats because the Democrats were against the Arizona law the whole time.

Tone of the cartoon:

1) positive or negative framing of undocumented immigrants

2) positive or negative framing of immigration policies 

What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

Democrats are pro-immigration but do not back up employers who hire immigrants for low wages and the hard labor. Obama wants immigrants to stay but can’t do anything about the law in Arizona. He is framed to look like someone without backbone to fight the Arizona law, but he still is selfish and power-hungry enough to ask for votes from children of undocumented immigrants. The cartoonist stereotypes the immigrants by giving them all the same clothing and expression. It mocks the way Americans dehumanize immigrants by stereotyping and putting them in the same category. They are depicted as emotionless and don’t seem to have opinions. This also expressed the view of many Americans who think undocumented workers don’t deserve rights.

"USA Keep Out"

msnbc.com   October 9, 2010
Cartoonist: Daryl Cagle   U.S. Cartoon 

On one side of the fence, there is a humble stand offering maps to the United States. An opportunity, but not nearly as much compared to the opportunities at the the booths on the other side of the fence.

negative framing of undocumented immgrants
negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
This cartoon states how the United States offers all of these free programs for free that act as an enticement for people just over the border to come to the U.S. Additionally, besides the enticements, the cartoon perhaps portrays how easy it is to slip into the U.S. side by showing people just praying the fence and digging underneath. It's critical of loose security.
There is a bit of negative portrayal of the undocumented by commenting that they are leeches, free-loaders, and will take the easy path rather than become a citizen the hard way- by navigating the map, charting a course, and working towards it.

"Now Hiring- Keep Out"

Sacramento Bee   September 22, 2010
Cartoonist: Rex Babin   U.S. Cartoon

Men are building a fence with a sign that states that the U.S. is hiring, perhaps the build the fence, but to stay out after completing it.

Positive framing of undocumented immigrants
Negative framing of immigration policies

"Reality" constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants
It's ironic that the United States offers all of these low-paying, laborious jobs that an undocumented worker could be efficient at, yet the same people who publicize the job opportunities reject those same workers who are willing to do that kind of labor.
It's especially ironic who, as the cartoons typifies, if a fence is going to be build be built to keep the undocumented workers out, who is going to build it? Would poor Americans be willing to take that sort of job?

"We Are Here!"

Salt Lake Tribune   August 2010
Cartoonist: Pat Bagley   U.S. Cartoon

Scores or more of undocumented immigrants are trying to get the attention of an elephant, but the elephant, whether intentionally or not, doesn't hear their cries of being right behind him.

positive framing of undocumented immigrants
negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
Congress does not pay enough attention for the need of immigration reform. This message may be especially meant for the Republicans in Congress, since the cartoon portrays an elephant as the one who can't hear the cries of men who are trying to indicate that they really can no longer be ignored.
That's another reality given here: there are so many undocumented workers in the United States, that Congress would be ignorant and perhaps even a bit bigotrous to ignore at least their presence and affect on the country, whether or not you think that is a good or bad affect.
It's also appropriate thta the cartoon contains an elephant since we know that "an elephant in the room" represents an issue thta must be solved sooner or later, but is still being ignored.

"I Don't Know any Illegal Alliens"

Salt Lake Tribune   July 2010
Cartoonist: Pat Bagley   U.S. Cartoon

Two pompous people, probably a husband and wife, are shown to be ignorant of the immigration issue because they don't have any personal relationships with any undocumented workers. They are complaining of the burden undocumented workers are making on the country, yet these same people offer so many service that this couple actually benefits from.

positive framing of undocumented immigrants
negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
Immigrants actually provide a lot of help to the country. They perform jobs that make life easier for those especially part of the high socio-economic of the United States, yet those of that class may not even understand or realize where the relief and luxuries are being made possible, and by whom.
It's stating also that immigration policies shouldn't, perhaps, totally restrict undocumented workers because they perform necessary labor.

"The Immigration Debate"

San Diego Union-Tribune   August 2010
Cartoonist: Steve Breen   U.S. Cartoon

Some figures are shaded, so they can't be detected, but captions about their law-breaking and dangerous nature are written about them. One might assume the captions are speaking of undocumented workers, when in reality, it's of employers.

positive framing of undocumented workers
negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
There are homebound problems that need to be resolved with regards to immigration. The government should crack down more on those who hire undocumented workers, rather than on those undocumented workers who perform necessary and often-untaken labor for the country. This is besides the debate whether or not undocumented workers are a problem, although it is perhaps saying thta businesses should not hire those that are not a U.S. citizen.

"The Wall"

Publication: Caglecartoons.com

Date: 4/10
Cartoonist: Gary Mccoy

U.S.

Title of the cartoon:"The Wall"
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The Obama Administration is allowing undocumented to come across the border, gain health care and get welfare, and allowing them to have voting rights and sending them back to their homeland. 

Tone of the cartoon: 
1)  negative framing of undocumented immigrants 
2) negative framing of immigration policies 
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

Immigrants in this cartoon are framed as free loaders, and the government is framed as spineless. Many undocumented workers working in low-wage fields don't have health care benefits. Because of welfare reforms most undocumented workers cannot get any welfare except in emergency situations. Even with the few that benefit from welfare, overall undocumented workers add more than 100 billion dollars to the American economy each year.

As for the government, the immigration reform is based on balance rather than total amnesty. Even if a majority of the bill was passed, it would not automatically assure amnesty to those who reside illegally in the United States. 

Allee

"Aliens"

Publication: Mayday Cartoons

Date: 2010
Cartoonist: Fuller

U.S.

Title of the cartoon:"Aliens"
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The democratic party, more specifically Barrack Obama is shocked when he thinks that people in Arizona are trying to MAKE space aliens. 

Tone of the cartoon: 
1) negative framing of undocumented immigrants 
2) positive framing of immigration policies 
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

This cartoon is quite simple. It portrays Barack Obama as ignorant concerning the laws he is passing. He is mixing up literal aliens with undocumented workers. This portrays an image negative to  the party AND the president. 

"Lady Obama"

Publication: Ibd editorial cartoons (Investor's Busniess Daily)

Date: 4/10
Cartoonist: Michael Ramirez

U.S.

Title of the cartoon:"Lady Obama"
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The Statue of Liberty has the face of Obama. It's holding a book entitled amnesty, and is claiming it will let anybody in the country if they will vote for Obama. Tone of the cartoon: 
1)  negative framing of undocumented immigrants 
2) negative framing of immigration policies 
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

In this cartoon "Lady Obama" is large and looming, portraying him as "looking down" on those trying to immigrate to the United States. Ramirez frames Obama as passing amnesty laws simply to gain votes for himself. Another important aspect of this cartoon is that the statue of Obama is representing the United States as a whole, making the entire population responsible for his decisions. 

"Mail and Guardian"

Publication: Sun Times

Date: 1/11/08
Cartoonist: Jonathan Shapiro

International

Title of the cartoon:"Mail and Guardian"
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
President Obama is taking people from all nationalities into the United States, but leaving United States citizens drowning behind him. Tone of the cartoon: 
1)  negative framing of undocumented immigrants 
2) negative framing of immigration policies 
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

President Obama is taking care of the whole world, but leaving the United States to suffer. He is being framed in a historical context as "crossing the Delaware" like George Washington. He is bringing in the new, without paying attention to the old. The immigrants, not necessarily portrayed as undocumented workers in this cartoon, are bright and happy waiting for their chance at a new life. 

"Thank You and Goodnight"

Publication: Rome Times Tribune

Date: 2010
Cartoonist: Mike Lester

U.S.

Title of the cartoon:"Thank you and Goodnight"
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
Barack Obama is a on a magic show, cutting apart the United States with a Arizona Law suit. 
Tone of the cartoon: 
1)  negative framing of undocumented immigrants 
2) negative framing of immigration policies 
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

Immigration are cutting the United States into two kinds of people, those for immigration and those against it. The racial profiling lawsuit in Arizona is ripping at the seams of the Constitution.