Communicating About Immigration Enforcement

For this week’s assignment, we were required to watch “Immigration Nation” Episode 1 on Netflix. In general, I found this documentary to be very insightful, as it gives viewers a look into what happens behind closed doors when it comes to ICE and immigration reform. This particular episode of the documentary showed things from the point of view of ICE officers mainly. However, I found that that doesn’t mean the producers were biased towards the ICE organization. The documentary showed the harsh treatment of illegal immigrants, shady practices of ICE officers and sometimes disregard for human life.

“He wanted to know if it was okay for collaterals.”

– ICE officer referring to detaining unintended targets, while conducting a raid and smiling.

The second video for this week’s assignment was “Think You Know ICE?” — a video created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This video was short. It was primarily an advert and informational video about the purposes and responsibilities of ICE as an organization. I found that this video had a much more positive outlook on ICE officers, as opposed to the Netflix Documentary. It more portrayed the officers as heroes, even down to the music. It sounds like something from a Marvel or DC movie.

“Protecting Children from Sex Crimes”

– ICE Advertisement

How do These two Compare and Contrast?

For obvious reasons, the “Think You Know ICE” advert had to have a much lighter tone than “Immigration Nation.” At the end of the day, the informational created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is exactly that —  an advert created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is in the interest of the government to present themselves in a way that doesn’t seem evil and tyrannical. Simply, because why would you do that?

The Lighting

The Lighting in these two forms of media were vastly different. In the documentary, it took on a much darker tone, versus the advert which was very well lit and had a much happier tone to it.

The Editing

Because “Immigration Nation” is a documentary, I can’t reasonably expect it to be fast paced and super heroic. But I have to state that it was totally on the opposite side of the spectrum; it was slow paced, methodical, and intentional in every aspect that it presented. I do feel like it gave more of an accurate depiction of ICE. “Think You Know ICE” was edited in such a way that it came off as a fast paced super hero movie. The name of the documentary alone implies that the creator is under the impression that people don’t know much about the organization and is taking this opportunity to create their own narrative.

The Narration/Music

In the advertisement, there was much narration at all. What you primarily hear is super exciting music. I believe this was done purposely, to make an impression on the viewer. Along with showing all the positives that ICE does, music is a powerful tool to affect the mood. After watching a full hour of “Immigration Nation” and feeling like shouting “Abolish ICE” in my own living room, this two minute advert nearly swayed me in the opposite direction. These two forms of media are both necessary, in my opinion so the public doesn’t have a biased opinion, however.

Questions:

1. From an objective point of view, is it necessary for the United States to deport as many immigrants as they do? Like economically, political and socially speaking, is it a benefit to the U.S. citizens to be ‘rid’ of illegal immigrants.
2. Is immigration reform being used as a straw man, in order for our government to avoid addressing more pertinent issues?

Grade: 5/5