Date of Award

Spring 5-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Communication

Committee Chair

Dr. Christopher Campbell

Committee Chair School

Communication

Committee Member 2

Dr. Laura Stengrim

Committee Member 2 School

Communication

Committee Member 3

Dr. Fei Xue

Committee Member 3 School

Communication

Committee Member 4

Dr. Cheryl Jenkins

Committee Member 4 School

Communication

Committee Member 5

Dr. Steve Venette

Committee Member 5 School

Communication

Abstract

This research examines political and media discourse on Immigration through four studies: Trump’s immigration reform speech, newspaper coverage of DACA, a Saturday Night Live episode, and social media via #ColoradoBorderWall memes. Various critical cultural theoretical frameworks are used within critical discourse and textual analysis is to examine media and political rhetoric about immigrants and immigration policy during a period of drastic institutional political change evidenced by Trump’s administration. As a collective, these narratives examine how Trump’s rhetoric and populist style of communication demonstrate a return to restrictive immigration rhetoric not witnessed in a presidential administration since the 1920s. This research demonstrates how political rhetoric and media discourse are part of discursive formations the produce and reinforce nativist, xenophobic, and racist ideologies about undocumented immigrants, immigrants, citizenship, and national belonging.

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