“Stop sending your kids across our border:” Discursively constructing the unaccompanied youth migrant |
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| Authors: | Mary Grace Antony Ryan J Thomas |
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| Institution: | 1. Communication Studies, Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX, USA;2. Journalism Studies, Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | Immigrant discourse unaccompanied youth migrant global compassion dehumanization audience responses |
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