VIDEO: Media’s Shift: Denying Border Crisis to Blaming Republicans
The Border Crisis: A Shift in Media Coverage
For years, the mainstream media downplayed and dismissed the border crisis, avoiding the term and even mocking it. However, everything changed in late January when the White House supported a border security bill that was ultimately rejected by congressional Republicans for being too weak. Suddenly, “border crisis” dominated the headlines, with news outlets suggesting that Republicans didn’t care enough about the escalating issue of illegal immigration.
Now: A Shift in Narrative
As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump prepare to visit the southern border, the media has fully embraced the crisis. The New York Times’ liveblog about the border visits, for example, mentioned the word “crisis” a staggering 26 times. The consensus among media outlets is that everyone, especially Republicans, is to blame for the situation.
“Eagle Pass Has Been at the Epicenter of the Migrant Crisis,” New York Times, Feb. 29:
When former President Donald J. Trump arrives Thursday in Eagle Pass, Texas, a border city that has become synonymous with the migration crisis, he will be the latest in a parade of politicians using the heavily fortified border along the Rio Grande as a backdrop for the political debate over immigration.
[Amerika Garcia Grewal, an immigration activist and native of Eagle Pass,] said she welcomes the visitors from Washington, but would like to see them come with solutions that help U.S. cities overwhelmed with new migrant arrivals and also treat migrants humanely. Most of the visits from Washington, she said, “are photo shoots.”
“Biden and Trump’s Dueling Border Visits Will Encapsulate a Building Election Clash,” CNN, Feb. 29:
Joe Biden and his predecessor and possible successor, Donald Trump, will tour different sectors of the border in Texas as they spell out dueling arguments on what everyone now agrees is a crisis.
“Biden Pushes Failed Border Deal in Texas Visit, Blasts GOP for Neglecting Crisis,” Axios, Feb. 29:
Catch up quick: Biden’s trip underscores a shift in his campaign to more forcefully address a migrant crisis at the border…
This shift in media coverage began a month and a half earlier when Biden acknowledged that the border was not “secure” and called on Congress to take action. Since then, the New York Times has published the terms “border crisis” and “migrant crisis” in 71 news articles, according to their digital archive.
“A Family Ranch, Swallowed Up in the Madness of the Border,” New York Times, Feb. 18:
It was a humanitarian disaster. It was a drug crisis. It was a national security emergency. It was a cartel war and an American political battle all playing out during a presidential election year within the remote confines of their ranch.
“Biden’s No-Win Immigration Problem,” Axios, Feb. 11:
The reality at the U.S.-Mexico border over the last three years is unprecedented—back-to-back-to-back records for migrant encounters by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. … On the right, Republicans are putting the squeeze on Biden. They have campaigned relentlessly on the “chaos at the border”—only to walk away from a bipartisan border deal in Congress that included concessions from Democrats.
“What’s Really Going on at the Border, Explained: What we mean when we say there’s a border crisis,” Vox, Feb. 7:
Republicans may be incendiary in the way that they describe what’s happening on the border. But there’s no question that the situation is dire: The number of times U.S. immigration agents intercepted migrants attempting to cross the border exceeded 300,000 in December, up from about 250,000 in the same month last year. That’s more than has been recorded in a given month in over two decades.
“As Trump Vies To Blow Up Border Deal, Migrant Crisis Could Get Worse,” Time, Jan. 27:
Getting any border package through both chambers of Congress was always going to be a challenge, but Trump’s urging of Republicans to refuse to help the Biden administration address the situation is prompting predictions that the issue may be dead until after the November election. Such an outcome could exacerbate an already dangerous dynamic on the border, say immigration experts and lawmakers.
Then: The Media’s Reluctance
Back in 2023, when the White House insisted the border was secure despite a surge in illegal immigration, the mainstream media avoided using the term “border crisis.” Throughout the entire fiscal year, which marked a record-breaking year for migrant encounters, the New York Times mentioned “border crisis” in only 41 news articles, averaging less than four per month. This was significantly less frequent than the 71 times it appeared in just 42 days since Biden supported the border bill.
Even in December, when migrant encounters reached an all-time high, the New York Times only used “border crisis” three times in their news articles. The media seemed to have received a memo to avoid the term, with the Associated Press cautioning against using it in March 2021.
“Is There a Crisis at the Border? Advocates in Texas Say It’s ‘Political Manipulation,’” Guardian, March 19, 2021:
After four years of racist, chaotic, anti-immigration policies by the Trump administration—as well as growing desperation fueled by the pandemic and extreme climate events—the number of people seeking to enter the U.S. is rising. But advocates in the Rio Grande Valley, where undocumented migrants have long been relied upon for cheap farm labor, reject incendiary claims that the numbers are overwhelming.
“The Migrant ‘Surge’ at the U.S. Southern Border Is Actually a Predictable Pattern,” Washington Post, March 25, 2021:
Evidence reveals the usual seasonal bump—plus some of the people who waited during the pandemic.
“The Real Border Crisis,” Atlantic, March 26, 2021:
What is the border crisis? Is it the recent surge of migrants, or is it the treatment of those migrants in detention facilities? The answer to that question—or whether you consider the situation at the border to be a crisis at all—most likely determines what you think the Biden administration should do about it.
“It’s Not a Border Crisis. It’s a Climate Crisis,” Politico, July 19, 2021:
And it’s not just climate change acting alone. It’s food insecurity. Malnutrition. Poverty. It all ties together.
“Parts of Southern Border in ‘Crisis’ but That Is ‘Nothing New,’ Agency Chief Says,” ABC News, March 15:
Ortiz painted a complex and dynamic picture of the southern border in testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, noting that Border Patrol apprehensions over the past two months have “declined significantly.”
“Migrant Crossing Surges Aren’t New. Why Is the Border Overwhelmed?” New York Times, May 10:
Outdated immigration laws, partisan gridlock, and conflict abroad are some reasons behind the strained U.S. border with Mexico.
However, in September, the media’s reluctance to use “border crisis” seemed to ease after Democratic New York City mayor Eric Adams warned of the potential destruction caused by a flood of migrants. The New York Times, for instance, mentioned “border crisis” nine times that month, more than double the previous year’s monthly average. Other outlets like CNN, the Washington Post, and PBS also described the situation as a crisis in their September articles. Even the Associated Press broke its own rule and reported on the “border crisis.”
What are the implications of framing the situation at the border as a crisis for public opinion, policy decisions, and the broader immigration debate
Ch 16, 2021:
Crisis is a loaded term for a news organization to use, as it implies an urgent and dire situation that requires immediate action. Some journalists argue that the current situation at the border does not meet that definition, while others believe it does. The debate surrounding the use of the term reflects the media’s struggle to accurately characterize the complex and multifaceted issue of illegal immigration.
The Politics of Terminology
The shift in media coverage of the border crisis highlights the inherent political nature of terminology. The media’s use of the term “crisis” can shape public perception and influence political discourse. By emphasizing the crisis aspect and attributing blame, news outlets are sending a clear message to the public and policymakers about who is responsible for addressing the issue.
In the past, when the Trump administration faced criticism over its immigration policies, news outlets were cautious about using the term “crisis” to describe the situation at the border. This reluctance can be attributed to concerns about impartiality and avoiding accusations of bias. However, as the Biden administration grapples with the same challenges, the media’s tone has shifted, and the term “crisis” is now being used more frequently and prominently in news coverage.
It is important to note that media coverage of the border crisis is not monolithic. While some outlets are more critical of the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, others focus on the humanitarian aspect and the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Nonetheless, the overall consensus among major news outlets is that the situation at the border is indeed a crisis that requires attention and action.
The Implications
The shift in media coverage has significant implications for public opinion, policy decisions, and the broader immigration debate. By framing the situation as a crisis, the media is pushing for urgent action and calling attention to the need for comprehensive immigration reform. This can exert pressure on policymakers to address the issue more forcefully and expedite policy changes.
Furthermore, the media’s focus on the border crisis has the potential to shape public opinion and influence electoral outcomes. The issue of illegal immigration has long been a contentious one, and framing it as a crisis can sway public sentiment and affect voters’ decisions. Politicians, especially those from opposing parties, are using the crisis narrative to advance their own agendas and gain political leverage.
However, it is crucial to recognize that the media’s role is not solely to shape public opinion or further political agendas. Journalists have a responsibility to provide accurate and unbiased information, presenting the complexities and nuances of the border crisis. The use of the term “crisis” should be contextualized and supported by factual evidence, allowing the public to form their own informed opinions.
Moving Forward
The shift in media coverage of the border crisis reflects the evolving nature of the issue and the varying perspectives within the media landscape. As the Biden administration continues to grapple with the challenges at the border, it is essential for the media to provide comprehensive and balanced coverage, highlighting the humanitarian, political, and policy dimensions of the issue.
Journalists should strive to present a diverse range of viewpoints and avoid succumbing to partisan narratives or sensationalism. The media has a crucial role to play in informing the public and fostering productive dialogue surrounding immigration reform and border security.
Ultimately, the border crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires thoughtful analysis and informed discussion. It is incumbent upon the media to fulfill its responsibility of providing objective, accurate, and comprehensive coverage, ensuring that the public is well-informed and engaged in the ongoing debate surrounding immigration and border security.
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