Figure1. A cartoon named Immigrants by PAVEL CONSTANTIN, posted by http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/ab320627-bada-4f2f-ae3a-659e4921118f.html
On November 21, 2014, President Obama established his “immigration accountability executive action”, mainly including “temporary protection of unauthorized parents of U.S. citizens” and “the highly technical regulatory proposals to fix outdated visa provisions” (American Immigration Council,2014).
However, the series of new policies do not seem to be palatable to public, or at least, for cartoonist PAVEL CONSTANTIN. His comic portrays that US just put on a poster with “human right” on it on the border, instead of opening a tangible door to those potential immigrants. Outside the border of USA, media are taking photos of a potential immigrant with Statute of Liberty, which represent both America and liberty.
The comic use the techniques of irony and satire to reveal the fraudulence of the new immigration policy of US. Besides, “human right” and Statute of Liberty are always the labels and symbols of US, which in fact, is only a superficial slogan and propaganda rather than the goal to achieve for the whole country. The US government has always promised the protection of human right and individual liberty as their duty of the superpower in the world. However, it failed to protect or even guarantee the right of immigrants, or potentially immigrants. For instance, even “temporary protection of unauthorized parents of US citizens” is guaranteed, the word “temporary” should be highlighted, which means the fate to be repatriated of illegal immigrants cannot be changed, but just delayed. Meanwhile, their kids born in US and becoming US citizens are not to be repatriated, the break of family is inevitable. The grievous situation of illegal immigrants do not enter blissful circumstances.
Besides, the behavior of media on the cosmic discloses that the statesmen are specialized in false propaganda to bewilder public, especially the citizens who live inside the border. In other word, the cartoonist not only aims to reveal the inefficiency of those policies, but also intends to urge administration to solve the inveterate problems of immigration.
Reference:
American Immigration Council. (2014). A Guide to the Immigration Accountability Executive Action. Retrieved from http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/special-reports/guide-immigration-accountability-executive-action
ZENG Zilu (Luna)
SID:54017720