The way in which issues are framed, that is, defining what factors are considered issues at all, is instrumental in determining whether a problem will be truly solved, or if instead a pseudo problem is simply solved instead. A limited frame is what inhibits policy makers from truly being able to address the core issues of many problems today, thus causing uncertainty, ineffective policies, and offense to many. Perhaps one of the most skewed framings is the one of immigration. In “The Framing of Immigration,” by George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson, the two maintain the warrant that all immigrants arrive with intentions of eventually becoming productive members of society. Utilizing strong language and compelling statistics, the pair argue that policy
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Both Lakoff and Ferguson claim that this convenient framing not only hinders policy makers from finding a true solution, but also hides the true global implications of immigration, shifting the blame to lay entirely upon the migrants. Regardless of how immigration is framed, solutions are inherently limited once the word “immigration” is left within the naming of the frame. This framing immediately limits immigration to being at the fault of “illegal immigrants,” not the fault of the root factors that, in actuality, cause the subsequent problems that are associated with immigration (5, 6). A notable example of a politician framing an issue to be more favorable for himself would be President Bush. Like many of the politicians before him, and those still of today, President Bush took advantage of framing immigration when he discussed his plans for “immigration reform” (2). He created a frame that made the “problem” far easier on himself, in lieu of focusing on the true core issue. The reader might see how it is far easier for a politician to promise the American people …show more content…
While immigrants are blamed for coming to America and “taking” American jobs from the people, Lakoff and Ferguson point out that the employers that illegally employ these immigrants conveniently escape scrutiny, and are not labeled as “illegals” themselves (6). The refugees are vital for the for the economy, and contrary to popular misconception, the jobs that the economic refugees come to America for are not the ones that are heavily sought after, rather they are often menial jobs that Americans take for granted get done (4). Refugees fleeing their homes in an attempt to find the America Dream should not be treated as degenerates, rather they deserve the respect that framing often robs them of.
All people that come to the United States of America in search of the American Dream and desire to be productive members of society, no matter where from, should be treated with respect and open arms. Currently, all framings of immigration fall short of properly containing the dilemma, as it is far more complex than what first meets the eye. The only true solution lies in expanding the scope and understanding of what is truly going on, inter-complexities and all, as the solution does not lie within one frame, but in that of
Both Lakoff and Ferguson claim that this convenient framing not only hinders policy makers from finding a true solution, but also hides the true global implications of immigration, shifting the blame to lay entirely upon the migrants. Regardless of how immigration is framed, solutions are inherently limited once the word “immigration” is left within the naming of the frame. This framing immediately limits immigration to being at the fault of “illegal immigrants,” not the fault of the root factors that, in actuality, cause the subsequent problems that are associated with immigration (5, 6). A notable example of a politician framing an issue to be more favorable for himself would be President Bush. Like many of the politicians before him, and those still of today, President Bush took advantage of framing immigration when he discussed his plans for “immigration reform” (2). He created a frame that made the “problem” far easier on himself, in lieu of focusing on the true core issue. The reader might see how it is far easier for a politician to promise the American people …show more content…
While immigrants are blamed for coming to America and “taking” American jobs from the people, Lakoff and Ferguson point out that the employers that illegally employ these immigrants conveniently escape scrutiny, and are not labeled as “illegals” themselves (6). The refugees are vital for the for the economy, and contrary to popular misconception, the jobs that the economic refugees come to America for are not the ones that are heavily sought after, rather they are often menial jobs that Americans take for granted get done (4). Refugees fleeing their homes in an attempt to find the America Dream should not be treated as degenerates, rather they deserve the respect that framing often robs them of.
All people that come to the United States of America in search of the American Dream and desire to be productive members of society, no matter where from, should be treated with respect and open arms. Currently, all framings of immigration fall short of properly containing the dilemma, as it is far more complex than what first meets the eye. The only true solution lies in expanding the scope and understanding of what is truly going on, inter-complexities and all, as the solution does not lie within one frame, but in that of