Some Anti-Immigration Cartoons

"I Asked You First"

caglecartoons.com   spring 2007

Cartoonist: Matson   U.S. Cartoon

The elephant asks the donkey what it takes to solve many different problems relating to illegal immigration, but also allowing for the business community to have enough workers.

negative framing of undocumented immigrants

negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?

Neither political party understands how to ultimately solve the immigration issue while at the same time fulfilling the low-level labor jobs. On top of these conflicting issues, neither the Republican or Democratic parties know how to balance both while finding the correct tightness of the border. 

Overall, although it sheds some negative light on undocumented workers, the cartoon is negative on the border policy and the intelligence and problem-solving abilities of the two parties overall.

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. 

"Illegal Immigration"

Hartford Courant   3/14/08
Cartoonist: Bob Englehart   U.S. Cartoon

A boy and girl carry out the insidious plan to sneak into the movie theater. Then, on top of stealing, they expect more on top. They seek to get free popcorn, besides stealing the show.

negative framing of undocumented immigrants
negative framing of immigration policies

What "reality" is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
Undocumented workers are selfish. They illegally arrive here, take advantage of the liberties offered by a democracy, prey on what one might consider to be a loose border security, and once they arrive, they expect benefits that not even a legally-registered U.S. citizen might receive. Overall, many immigrants seek for more than they are registered to receive. Also, the ease of entering into the theater represents that the border security isn't secure after all.

"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.

"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.