Close Reading #3: New Hope on Immigration

“New Hope of Immigration” addresses the widely debated issue of immigration. The author argues that President Obama and Congress should take a new approach on immigration laws now that Republicans have softened up their stance on it. Through the use of rhetorical devices such as figurative language, diction, and details, the author creates a sense of grave urgency, demanding the reader’s attention.

Through the use of figurative language, the author creates ideas that resonate in the readers mind so that it creates more emphasis of what the author believes. When saying, “invading army of job stealers” when talking of how the Republican party views immigrants this creates an image in the readers mind of an actual army that is fighting people to take their jobs. The reader knows that this is not actually occurring but it makes the views of Republicans seem harsher due to the unrealistic nature of the phrase. In addition when talking about Mitt Romney as “deporter in chief” the reader knows that this is not a real position. But it does allude to commander in chief which is a well-respected position that requires a lot of work and therefore creates more of a negative connotation for Mitt Romney.

With the diction “rock-ribbed” and “hard-liners,” the author portrays the Republican party of recent years as inflexible and bordering on the extreme. When talking of the views that Republicans have of immigrants he refers to them as “welfare moochers” which immediately creates a negative connotation by using a word that refers to being stealers. In contrast, the author uses more neutral report-style language to describe Obama’s plan as a way to “integrate and assimilate” the illegal immigrants in to our society. These words make Obama seem like a more reasonable person that has a more well thought out plan than the Republican party.  By matching his diction to his feelings towards each major political party, the author reveals his attitude towards each party.

The author utilizes details to further emphasize his views towards those against immigration and those for it. When talking of the “hard-liners” that do not support the reform the Democrats, the author uses to detail to list the types of people that are against it, such as “white culture alarmists and closet racists.” These two types of people have an extremely negative connotation, which reflects the author’s view of the anti-reformists and ultimately causes the reader to believe the same. He uses “student activists, business groups, farmers, labor unions, Catholic bishops, evangelical churches, African Americans, civil-liberties organizations, and American citizens” as details to describe those that support reform of immigration. All these groups represent positive ideas and therefore support the author’s idea of reform.

Through the use of figurative language, diction, and details the author of “New Hope on Immigration” effectively argues that President Obama should begin his reform ideas now that the Republicans have softened up their stance on immigration. 

Link to Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/opinion/sunday/new-hope-on-immigration.html?_r=0