Article
“Stop sending your kids across our border:” Discursively constructing the unaccompanied youth migrant
Journal of International and Intercultural Communication
(2017)
Abstract
The recent migration of 65,000 children across the southwestern border, coupled with allegations of abuse by the U.S. Border Patrol, enables the investigation of an overlooked immigrant category: the unaccompanied youth migrant. Analyzing audience responses to news reports of the abuse, we find that established disparaging immigrant tropes apply, describing the children as an economic burden, disease carriers, and offspring of irresponsible families. We uncover two new themes: Youth migrants are channels whereby criminals may infiltrate the U.S., and manipulate legal authorities to remain in the U.S. Finally, we demonstrate how global compassion is strategically deployed to qualify harsh retaliatory measures.
Keywords
- Immigrant discourse,
- unaccompanied youth migrant,
- global compassion,
- dehumanization,
- audience responses
Disciplines
Publication Date
2017
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17513057.2016.1214282
Publisher Statement
Published by Taylor & Francis Online
Citation Information
Mary Grace Antony and Ryan J. Thomas. "“Stop sending your kids across our border:” Discursively constructing the unaccompanied youth migrant" Journal of International and Intercultural Communication Vol. 10 Iss. 1 (2017) p. 4 - 24 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marygrace-antony/5/