Examining the New York Times coverage of the crisis at the southern border in Biden’s America | Intellect Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Journal of Global Diaspora & Media
  4. Volume 4, Issue 1
  5. Article
Migrations, Diasporas and Media
  • ISSN: 2632-5853
  • E-ISSN: 2632-5861

Abstract

With Biden’s election in 2020, the United States and the world anticipated a major shift in US immigration policy and a different approach to the US–Mexico border crisis. This study examines how media covered this through a textual analysis of 40 news stories published by the between November 2020 and November 2021. It identifies four categories of content: ‘the Biden presidency – an era of hope and positive change’; ‘causes and complexities of the southern border crisis’; ‘critique of the Biden presidency’ and ‘migrant journeys, of confusion, suffering and hope’. Subcategories are also developed for these categories. The findings indicate that though violence in Central America is still a primary driver leading to a migrant surge at the US southern border, climate crises and the COVID-19 pandemic are two major events causing more migrations from Central America as well as bringing in new migrants to the United States from other countries around the world. The study shows that though the does not portray the migrants negatively and offers some context about the causes of the crisis and a critique of the Biden administration’s handling of the crisis, the reporting lacks a long-term perspective about the deeper causes of the crisis.

© 2023 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/gdm_00033_1
2023-07-13
2024-04-27
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abi-Habib, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ U.N. reports surge of migrant children entering Mexico, destined for U.S.. ’, New York Times, 19 April, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/world/americas/mexico-migrant-children.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Alvarado, S. E., and Massey, D. S.. ( 2010;), ‘ In search of peace: Structural adjustment, violence, and international migration. ’, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 630:1, pp. 137–61, https://doi.org/0.1177/0002716210368107.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Andersen, R., and Bergmann, A.. ( 2020), Media, Central American Refugees and the U.S. Border Crisis: Security Discourses, Immigrant Demonization, and the Perpetuation of Violence, Milton Park:: Routledge Focus;.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Anzaldua, G.. ( 2007), Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza, , 3rd ed.., San Francisco, CA:: Aunt Lute Books;.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Avecedo, N.. ( 2019;), ‘ Why are migrant children dying in U.S. custody?. ’, NBC News , 30 May, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/why-are-migrant-children-dying-u-s-custody-n1010316. Accessed 1 December 2021.
  6. Bokat-Lindell, S.. ( 2021;), ‘ Biden is taking a page out of Trump’s immigration playbook. ’, New York Times, 28 September, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/opinion/biden-haitian-migrants-trump.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Brandle, S. M., and Reilly, J. E.. ( 2019;), ‘ Seldom, superficial, and soon gone: Television news coverage of refugees in the United States, 2006–2015. ’, Refugee Survey Quarterly, 38:2, pp. 159–94.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Cantor, D. J.. ( 2016;), ‘ As deadly as armed conflict? Gang violence and forced displacement in the northern triangle of Central America. ’, Agenda Internacional, 23:34, pp. 77–97, https://doi.org/10.18800/agenda.201601.003.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Castañeda, J. G.. ( 2020;), ‘ Biden can inspire Latin America. ’, New York Times, 23 November, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/23/opinion/biden-latin-america.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Chattopadhyay, S.. ( 2019;), ‘ Invited article: “You are Not Welcome Here!” Understanding news coverage of central American migrant families in Trump’s America. ’, Journal of Family Communication, 19:3, pp. 177–90, https://doi.org/10.1080/15267431.2019.1632866.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Chattopadhyay, S.. ( 2021;), ‘ When the Global South comes to the U.S. border: Examining The Washington Post’s coverage of the Central American migrant crisis in Trump’s America. ’, National Communication Association Convention, Seattle, WA, USA:, 17–21 November.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Christoph, V.. ( 2012;), ‘ The role of the mass media in the integration of migrants. ’, International Mind, Brain and Education Society, 6:2, pp. 97–105, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-228X.2012.01142.x.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Congressional Research Service ( 2021;), ‘ Global economic effects of COVID-19. ’, 10 November, https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R46270.pdf. Accessed 1 December 2021.
  14. Dearing, J. W., and Rogers, E. M.. ( 1996), Agenda-Setting, Thousand Oaks, CA:: Sage Publications;.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. De Swert, K., and Kuypers, I.. ( 2020;), ‘ Ordinary people regularly reported? Looking for patterns in the presence of ordinary citizens in television news in 20 European countries. ’, Journalism Studies, 21:8, pp. 1037–54.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. El-Hinnawi, E.. ( 1985), Environmental Refugees, Nairobi:: United Nations Environment Programme;.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Entman, R. M.. ( 1993;), ‘ Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. ’, Journal of Communication, 43:4, pp. 51–58, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Escobar, V.. ( 2021;), ‘ I represent El Paso. What I’m asking for doesn’t include open borders. ’, New York Times, 24 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/opinion/border-migrants-central-america.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Esses, V., M.,, Medianu, S., and Lawson, A. S.. ( 2013;), ‘ Uncertainty, threat, and the role of the media in promoting the dehumanization of immigrants and refugees. ’, Journal of Social Issues, 69:3, pp. 518–36.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Fandos, N.. ( 2021;), ‘ House votes to give millions of dreamers and farmworkers a path to citizenship. ’, New York Times, 18 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/us/politics/biden-immigration.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Fandos, N., and Kanno-Youngs, Z.. ( 2021;), ‘ House tackles Biden’s immigration plans amid migrant influx. ’, New York Times, 15 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/15/us/politics/biden-immigration-plan-bill.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Glaser, B. G., and Strauss, A. L.. ( 1967), The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research, Chicago, IL:: Aldine Publishing;.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Graber, D. A.. ( 1988), Processing the News: How People Tame the Information Tide, , 2nd ed.., New York:: Longman;.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Graber, D. A.. ( 1993), Mass Media and American Politics, Washington, DC:: CQ Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Gramlich, J.. ( 2021;), ‘ Migrant encounters at U.S.-Mexico border are at a 21-year high. ’, Pew Research Center, 13 August, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/08/13/migrant-encounters-at-u-s-mexico-border-are-at-a-21-year-high. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Hall, S.. ( 1975;), ‘ Introduction. ’, in A. C. H. Smith. (ed.), Paper Voices: The Popular Press and Social Change, London:: Chatto and Windus;, pp. 11–24.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Hsiang, S. M.,, Meng, K. C., and Crane, M. A.. ( 2011;), ‘ Civil conflicts are associated with the global climate. ’, Nature, 476:7361, pp. 438–41.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Hugo, G.. ( 2008), Migration, Development, and Environment, IOM Migration Research Series No. 35, Geneva:: International Organization for Migration;.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Inkpen, C.. ( 2019;), ‘ Vicious triangle: Remittances, crime victimization and emigration intentions in northern Central America. ’, Responding to the Crisis in the Northern Triangle, Center for International and Global Studies, Duke University, NC, 15 May, https://sites.duke.edu/northerntrianglepolicy/2019/05/09/victimization-gangs-and-intentions-to-migrate-in-the-northern-triangle. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Iyengar, S.. ( 1991), Is Anyone Responsible? How Television Frames Political Issues, Chicago, IL:: University of Chicago Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Jakes, L.. ( 2021;), ‘ Latin America unrest forces Biden to confront challenges to democracy close to home. ’, New York Times, 12 July, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/us/politics/biden-cuba-haiti-latin-america.html?searchResultPosition=16. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Jordan, M.. ( 2020;), ‘ As Biden prepares to take office, a new rush at the border. ’, New York Times, 13 December, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/us/border-crossing-migrants-biden.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Jordan, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ From India, Brazil and beyond: Pandemic refugees at the border. ’, New York Times, 16 May, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/16/us/migrants-border-coronavirus-pandemic.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Jordan, M., and Rivlin-Nadler, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Migrant families force Biden to confront new border crisis. ’, New York Times, 6 February, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/us/migrants-border-coronavirus-san-diego.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Kanno-Youngs, Z.. ( 2020;), ‘ Families at border present familiar test for Biden’s Homeland Security pick. ’, New York Times, 14 December, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/14/us/politics/mayorkas-biden-immigration.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Kanno-Youngs, Z., and Edmondson, C.. ( 2021;), ‘ Facing pressure, Biden administration scrambles to shelter migrant children. ’, New York Times, 10 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/us/politics/biden-border-migrant-children.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Kanno-Youngs, Z., and Jordan, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Biden wavers on restricting refugee entry. ’, New York Times, 16 April, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/politics/joe-biden-refugee-policy.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Kanno-Youngs, Z., and Shear, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Biden seeks help on border from Mexican president. ’, New York Times, 1 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/us/politics/biden-amlo-mexico.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Keith, T.. ( 2019;), ‘ Once a fence, later slats, almost always a wall: Trump’s border wall contradictions. ’, National Public Radio, 11 January, https://www.npr.org/2019/01/11/683920624/once-a-fence-later-slats-almost-always-a-wall-trumps-border-wall-contradictions. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Kil, S.. ( 2019), Covering the Border War: How the News Media Creates Crime, Race, Nation, and the USA–Mexico Divide, Washington, DC:: Lexington Books;.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Kitreoff, N.. ( 2021;), ‘ Devastation in Central America. ’, Upfront, 8 March, https://upfront.scholastic.com/pages/promotion/navigationlps/030821/devastation-in-central-america.html#1310L. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Lincoln, Y. S., and Guba, E. G.. ( 1985), Naturalistic Inquiry, Newbury Park, CA:: Sage Publications;.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Louw, D.. ( 2016;), ‘ The refugee dilemma and migrant crisis: “Charity begins at home” or “Being home to the homeless”? The paradoxical stance in pastoral caregiving and the infiltration and perichoresis of compassion. ’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 72:2, pp. 1–11, https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v72i2.3267.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Lule, J.. ( 1995;), ‘ The rape of Mike Tyson: Race, the press and symbolic types. ’, Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 12:2, pp. 176–95, https://doi.org/10.1080/15295039509366930.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Lusk, M.,, Terrazas, S.,, Caro, J.,, Chaparro, P., and Antunez, D.. ( 2021;), ‘ Resilience, faith, and social supports among migrants and refugees from Central America and Mexico. ’, Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 23:1, pp. 1–22, https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2019.1620668.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Lynn, N., and Lea, S.. ( 2003;), ‘ A phantom menace and the new apartheid: The social construction of asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom. ’, Discourse & Society, 14:4, pp. 425–52, https://doi.org/10.1177/09579265030140040.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Macleod, A.. ( 2018;), ‘ Refugee caravan: Lots of coverage, little context. ’, Fairness in Accuracy and Reporting, 13 December, https://fair.org/home/refugee-caravan-lots-of-coverage-little-context. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Malkki, L. H.. ( 1996;), ‘ Speechless emissaries: Refugees, humanitarianism, and dehistoricization. ’, Cultural Anthropology, 11:3, pp. 377–404, https://doi.org/10.1525/can.1996.11.3.02a00050.
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Martin, J., and Burns, A.. ( 2020;), ‘ Biden wins presidency, ending four tumultuous years under Trump. ’, New York Times, 7 November, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/07/us/politics/biden-election.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Massey, D. S.,, Arango, J.,, Hugo, G.,, Kouaouci, A.,, Pellegrino, A., and Taylor, J. E.. ( 1998), Worlds in Motion: Understanding International Migration at the End of the Millennium (International Studies in Demography), Oxford:: Oxford University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Massey, D. S.,, Durand, J., and Pren, K. A.. ( 2020;), ‘ Lethal violence and migration in Mexico: An analysis of internal and international moves. ’, Migraciones Internacionales, 11:13, https://doi.org/10.33679/rmi.v1i1.2282.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Miller, T.. ( 2017), Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA:: City Lights;.
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Morrison, A. R.. ( 1993;), ‘ Violence or economics: What drives internal migration in Guatemala?. ’, Economic Development and Cultural Change, 41:4, pp. 817–31.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Muytjens, S., and Ball, M.. ( 2016;), ‘ Neutralising punitive asylum seeker policies: An analysis of Australian news media during the 2013 federal election campaign. ’, Journal of Australian Studies, 40:4, pp. 448–63, https://doi.org/10.1080/14443058.2016.1223153.
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Myers, N., and Kent, J.. ( 1995), Environmental Exodus: An Emergent Crisis in the Global Arena, Washington, DC:: The Climate Institute;.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Negroponte, J.,, Stein, E.,, Brizuela de Ávila, M. E., and Cosenza, L.. ( 2017;), ‘ Building a better future: A blueprint for Central America’s northern triangle. ’, 5 May, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/building-a-better-future. Accessed 1 December 2021.
  57. New York Times ( n.d.). ‘Awards and recognition’, https://www.nytco.com/company/prizes-awards. Accessed 1 December 2021.
  58. Nyzio, A. ( 2017;), ‘ The second revival? The Visegrád group and the European migrant crisis in 2015–2017. ’, Global and Regional Security Challenges, 14:5, https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.14.2017.50.03.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Peter, C., and Zerback, T.. ( 2020;), ‘ Ordinary citizens in the news: A conceptual framework. ’, Journalism Studies, 21:8, pp. 1003–16.
     [Google Scholar]
  60. Petrocik, J. R.. ( 1996;), ‘ Issue ownership in presidential elections, with a 1980 case study. ’, American Journal of Political Science, 40:3, pp. 825–50.
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Qiu, L.. ( 2021;), ‘ Fact-checking claims on the migrant surge at the U.S.-Mexico border. ’, New York Times, 20 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/20/us/politics/fact-check-immigration-border.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  62. Ramos, J.. ( 2021;), ‘ The perpetual crisis at the border – and what we can do about it. ’, New York Times, 2 April, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/opinion/biden-migration-reform-mexico.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  63. Robles, F., and Jordan, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ COVID on the border: Migrants aren’t tested on arrival in U.S.. ’, New York Times, 28 April, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/us/coronavirus-migrants-testing.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  64. Rogers, K.. ( 2021;), ‘ White House says undocumented students can receive pandemic aid. ’, New York Times, 11 May, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/us/politics/pandemic-aid-undocumented-students.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Seelke, C. R.. ( 2016;), Gangs in Central America (Report No. RL34112). , Washington, DC:: Governmental Printing Office;.
     [Google Scholar]
  66. Shear, M.. ( 2020;), ‘ Border officials weighed deploying migrant “heat ray” ahead of midterms. ’, New York Times, 16 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/us/politics/trump-campaign-immigration.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  67. Shear, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ On day 1, Biden moves to undo Trump’s legacy. ’, New York Times, 20 January, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/biden-executive-action.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  68. Shear, M., and Kanno-Youngs, Z.. ( 2021;), ‘ Surge in migrants defies easy or quick solutions for Biden. ’, New York Times, 16 March, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/us/politics/biden-immigration.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Shellman, S. M., and Stewart, B. M.. ( 2007;), ‘ Predicting risk factors associated with forced migration: An early warning model of Haitian flight. ’, Civil Wars, 9:2, pp. 174–99.
     [Google Scholar]
  70. Silva, A. C., and Massey, D. S.. ( 2014;), ‘ Violence, networks, and international migration from Colombia. ’, International Migration, 53:5, pp. 162–78.
     [Google Scholar]
  71. Spruyt, B., and Elchardus, M.. ( 2012;), ‘ Are anti-Muslim feelings more widespread than antiforeigner feelings? Evidence from two split-sample experiments. ’, Ethnicities, 12:6, pp. 800–820, https://doi.org/10.1177/1468796812449707.
     [Google Scholar]
  72. Sullivan, E.. ( 2021;), ‘ After Del Rio, calls for fairer treatment of Black migrants. ’, New York Times, 19 October, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/us/politics/black-migrants-biden-border.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  73. Sullivan, E., and Jordan, M.. ( 2021;), ‘ Biden administration to deport Haitians in South Texas. ’, New York Times, 18 September, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/18/us/politics/biden-administration-haiti-texas.html. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  74. Threadgold, T.. ( 2009;), ‘ The media and migration in the United Kingdom, 1999 to 2009. ’, Public Opinion, Media Coverage, and Migration Meeting, May, pp. 1–29, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/TCM-UKMedia.pdf. Accessed 7 June 2023.
     [Google Scholar]
  75. Varma, A.. ( 2019;), ‘ Ethical news coverage of climate change needs to prioritize efficacy. ’, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 14 October, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/all-about-ethics/ethical-news-coverage-of-climate-change-needs-to-prioritize-efficacy. Accessed 1 December 2021.
     [Google Scholar]
  76. Vick, K.. ( 2015;), ‘ The great migration. ’, Time Magazine. Special Report. Exodus. The Epic Migration to Europe & What Lies Ahead, 8 October, pp. 26–34, https://time.com/magazine/us/4065943/october-19th-2015-vol-186-no-15-u-s/. Accessed 7 June 2023.
     [Google Scholar]
  77. de Vreese, C. H.. ( 2005;), ‘ News framing: Theory and typology. ’, Information Design Journal & Document Design, 13:1, pp. 51–62, https://doi.org/10.1075/idjdd.13.1.06vre.
     [Google Scholar]
  78. Chattopadhyay, Sumana. ( 2023;), ‘ Examining the New York Times coverage of the crisis at the southern border in Biden’s America. ’, Journal of Global Diaspora & Media, Special Section: ‘Migrations, Diasporas and Media’, 4:1, pp. 45–63, https://doi.org/10.1386/gdm_00033_1
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/gdm_00033_1
Loading
  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): asylum-seeker; Global South; media; migrant; migration; news

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error