Catrina Banci

English 3 AP

Mr. Soeth

February 23, 2011

REHUGO Analysis- Visual: Political Cartoon

a. Cartoon attached-artist: Monte Wolverton

b. This picture shows how the U.S Senate Immigration Bill introduced in 2007. This bill basically talked about how America should provide legal status and the process of citizenship for the 12-20 million people who were residing in the U.S illegally at the time. Plus, for those who were already citizens of America, their spouse and children were also given citizenship. Both sides of the debate argued intensely on this subject because of the points brought up. For example, the Conservatives argued how granting citizenship to illegal immigrants was equivalent to rewarding them for "disregarding United State immigration laws". The Liberals stated that only the intermediate family of the U.S citizen were granted citizenship were seen as unfair. There was also the issue of how people, who were on the guest workers program, overusing their privilege and eventually becoming illegal immigrants, and how this bill didn't follow procedure like going through a committee debate and approval.

c. The visual shows a family of 4 standing on a desert with a hand, holding an axe, floating in the air. The axe looks almost like its cutting the family apart, and there is a sign pointing to the family stating, "Immigrant Family", and another sign pointing to the axe stating, "U.S. Senate Immigration Bill". This is a very effective image because it really portrays the bill itself. If the bill passed, it would have torn families apart. It almost seemed like it was a normal day for the family and the axe was turning it into a nightmare. The eyes of the family even showed the fear they felt.

d. The U.S. Immigration Bill has left me with some mixed feelings. Although I don't agree with the separation of families because having a family is like having a support team, I don't think it is fair for those who didn't go through the process of citizenship to be living here. There is no sense of honesty in that at all, and if people truly want to live in the U.S., they would have to wait because that is the right thing to do. I know this world isn't very black and white, but this country could only fit so many people and the country is already struggling as it is. Plus, I would have to agree with the Conservatives because those who broke the law in the first place shouldn't have special privileges. That's unfairness right there, and yet other people think family limitations are more important than good morals.

MLA format

Wolverton, Monte. Cartoon. Flickr. Web. 23 Feb 2011