I Have A DREAM....Act.

The DREAM Act was put forth by President Obama's administration. It states that an immigrant who entered the country before they were 16 and went to high school, graduated from high school, obtained a GED, or served in the military is able to get renewable deferment from deportation, called deferred action. There are limitations. The person cannot be older than 30, must have no felonies, has lived in the country for five years, with "significant" misdemeanors, or three other misdemeanors. The Dream Act is being reviewed by Congress and is not yet applied to undocumented workers. Preident Obama then issued an executive order of amnesty to those who are eligible to the DREAM Act, granting about one million undocumented workers amnesty. In other words, they will not be deported, even though the Dream Act has not yet been passed.


Team Member Name: Stefani Lewis
Publication: The Arizona Republic
Date: August 20, 2012
Cartoonist: Steve Benson (U.S.)
Title of the cartoon: Dream Act
Cartoon #: N/A
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
The cartoon shows a group of darker skinned people with signs sporting a phrase, "I have a dream (act)". It then shows Governor Jan Brewer spouting, "Not here, you don't!"

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of undocumented immigrants
2) Negative framing of immigration policies
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
This depicts Jan Brewer saying Arizona is not in support of the DREAM Act. The "I have a dream (act)" sign is a reference of Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream" speech on equality. King's speech focused on an equal class for the white and black populations of the United States. The cartoon shows the Hispanic crowd as simply wanting the same opportunities as any American, and Governor Brewer is depicted as a raving lunatic who wants to deny these "invaders" even the most basic human rights.


Team Member Name: Stefani Lewis
Publication: Creators Syndicate
Date: 2012
Cartoonist: Michael Ramirez (U.S.)

Title of cartoon: The Cynical Political Pander of the Sierra Madre 
Cartoon #: N/A
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
It shows President Obama dressed in the western gear with a massive sombrero holding an executive order of amnesty, saying, "We don't need no stinkin' Congress!" The context behind this cartoon is President Obama passing an executive order while the DREAM Act is being reviewed by Congress.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Negative framing of undocumented immigrants
2) Negative framing of immigration policies
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
The cartoon is titled "the Cynical Political Pander of the Sierra Madre". The Sierra Madres can be two things: There are three mountain ranges in Mexico and a city in California both called Sierra Madres, which is therefore a reference to the high population of Hispanics in California (not to mention throughout the country). This cartoon shows a dismissal of Congress because the executive order is in place to bypass Congress's stall on the DREAM Act. Amnesty accomplishes nearly the same thing as the DREAM Act, but is not permanent. This cartoon, along with the others on this page, suggests that President Obama, in a rogue, idealistic way, is circumventing Congress where immigration is concerned.

Team Member Name: Manda Perkins
Publication: The Record of Hackensack, NJ
Date: August 16th, 2012
Cartoonist: Jimmy Margulies (U.S.)
Title: Deportation Referral
Cartoon #: N/A
What action is taking place in the cartoon? What is the context?
This cartoon depicts young illegal immigrants, most likely students, standing in a line for deportation deferrals. The girl in the front is excited to finally have a chance to be a normal student like kids her age. The pessimistic guy behind her reminds her that American students aren't very well off, as unemployment and student loans are problems they face.

Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive framing of undocumented immigrants
2) Negative framing of immigration policies
What “reality” is constructed/framed about immigration/immigrants?
Obama's DREAM Act does help students here illegally to finish their degrees and receive a quality education, or to essentially live the "American dream" and make a live for themselves. However, many American students are having to deal with student loan debt and high rates of unemployment after graduation. It slams the economic state of our country while humorously begging the question of whether the USA is even a desirable place for immigrants.