Every week
Media outlets in the U.S. dish out new sensational stories on immigration and border control that are almost too wild to be true. While these stories reflect a facet of data to support their claims, more often that not, this information has been stripped of its full context and strategically spun into exaggeration. Why? Because it makes media outlets a lot of money.
It's a simple calculus
The more that media outlets are able to trigger the emotions of their viewers, the greater their viewership climbs, and we everyday Americans become the target of a clever manipulation that benefits the political and private interest groups invested in the media channels we consume.
The short-term and self-serving gains these interest groups yield from promoting these stories come at a hidden cost, which most outlets do not hold themselves accountable for. What is this hidden cost? The cost of enabling an environment where specific groups, particularly LatinX and Hispanic communities in these stories, become victims of systemic oppression and marginalization.
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Often, the narratives we hear in the media on immigration and border control paint an exaggerated picture that does not fully align with reality. For instance, Fox News recently promoted a story alarming U.S. homeowners to fear migrant LatinX squatters from legally hijacking their homes (Betz, 2024). If this were true, a wave of affected homeowners would be reporting these cases to authorities and we would have a reliable source of data to prove it. But, according to the Washington Post, squatting is such a rare phenomenon in the U.S. that there is no such reliable data to substantiate these claims (Javaid, 2024).
Words like "alien" have been used since 1798 to cast those who enter the U.S. without permission in a dehumanizing light; recognizing this, the Associated Press made a pivotal shift in 2013, focusing on the actions "illegal immigration," "unlawful entry" rather than labeling individuals as being inherently illegal (Lind, p. 124).
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This change by the Associated Press is a step toward acknowledging the fluidity and complexity of immigration, which connects to a deeper understanding of how borders and the narratives around them work. Just as biological cells require semi-permeable membranes to thrive, applying a rigid concept to national borders can similarly lead to unhealthy societal conditions. The dominant narratives tend to oversimplify and exacerbate the situation, reinforcing stereotypes and maintaining the status quo.
However, the tide is turning. Alternative media platforms like blogs, podcasts, TED Talks, and social media channels are emerging, challenging these oversimplified narratives and highlighting the nuanced and multifaceted nature of immigration. In her TED Talk, I'm Mexican.
Does that Change Your Perception of Me?, Vanessa Vancour argues that by clinging to fixed views we only limit ourselves. As a daughter of a Mexican immigrant mother, Vancour has experienced first-hand that having the courage to admit what we don't know is what truly opens the door to understanding and progress, particularly around implicit assumptions regarding immigrants in the U.S. (Vancour, 2017).
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So, what should we take from this?
The narratives we absorb and circulate wield significant influence-they mold our views, policies, and how we relate to each other. Acknowledging the fluidity of borders and the intricate personal narratives behind immigration enables us to start breaking down the damaging stereotypes and preconceptions shaped by decades of media portrayal. It's about having the courage to challenge our beliefs and welcoming the vast array of human experiences extending beyond our familiar boundaries.
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References:
Betz, B., & Fox News. (2024, April 7). Venezuelan "migrant Influencer" who encouraged squatting complains from jail he's victim of persecution. Fox News.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/venezuelan-migrant-influencer-who-encouraged-squatting-
complains-jail-hes-victim-persecution
Javaid, M., & Paúl, M. L. (2024, April 3). Squatters have become a right-wing talking point. what to know about the rare practice. The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/03/squatters-rise-florida-ny-georgia/
Lind, R. A. (2023). Race/gender/class/media: Considering diversity across audiences, content, and producers. Routledge.
