Introduction The discussion of building a larger wall at the U.S.-Mexico border has become an increasingly popular topic among the media in recent months. The 2016 presidential race may be a correlating factor to the growing interest and debate over the public policy issue. A variety of news sources constantly publish articles that illustrate opposing opinions to either build a larger wall or to leave the border alone. Many of the arguments discuss the issue of Mexican immigrants coming to the United States in an illegal fashion, and how this may affect the legal citizens in numerous ways. In these arguments, the art of persuasion comes to surface through using techniques in an attempt to sway public opinion. In this, public policy debates over the United States decision whether or not to build a larger wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and how articles and speeches are constructed to persuade public opinion can be analyzed through the frame of immigration.
Background
After the attacks made on the United States on September 11th laws and regulations for crossing the U.S. border have been through multiple revisions and become harsher. In specific to the U.S.-Mexico border, the law states, “Mexican citizens must present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or laser visa border crossing card when visiting by land” (“Crossing the Border,” n.d.). The United States is more lenient with Canadian citizens entering the country, although both countries are direct land borders. Meaning
Background
After the attacks made on the United States on September 11th laws and regulations for crossing the U.S. border have been through multiple revisions and become harsher. In specific to the U.S.-Mexico border, the law states, “Mexican citizens must present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or laser visa border crossing card when visiting by land” (“Crossing the Border,” n.d.). The United States is more lenient with Canadian citizens entering the country, although both countries are direct land borders. Meaning