November 20, 2014, televised speech - Barack Obama (2014) - How does the search for a middle ground end up being an ambiguous approach towards immigration ?

Extract

[...] Trying to strike a compromise through a new series of actions In the second half of his speech, Obama announced a new series of measures. "First, we'll build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel" (L.39). It is a reinforcement of already existing measures applied under his administration. The aim is to keep border security a priority. Obama also puts the emphasis on skilled immigrants that represent a great value to the US economy. [...]

[...] How does the search for a middle ground end up being an ambiguous approach towards immigration? To answer this question, we must first draw our attention on the depiction of a broken system made by Barack Obama. Then, we are going to analyze the actions proposed by the president in order to strike a compromise. Lastly, we'll see that this approach led Obama to uphold an ambiguous position towards immigration. A depiction of a broken system Raising the question of undocumented immigrants In the opening paragraphs of his speech, President Obama highlights that the "system is broken". [...]

[...] Portraying a positive image of immigration First of all, Obama highlights immigration's historical role in keeping America "youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial" (L.3). According to him, welcoming immigrants has given the USA a "tremendous advantage over other nations" (L.3) Obama sees America as a nation of immigrants. He puts forward the ideology about America being a nation of immigrants. By mentioning this in his speech, the president emphasizes that all Americans were in fact immigrants. Then, he tries to present immigrants in their best light. "They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. [...]

[...] November televised speech - Barack Obama (2014) - How does the search for a middle ground end up being an ambiguous approach towards immigration? The issue of immigration has always been central to Barack Obama's presidential term. As early as 2010, the Obama administration tried to get Congress to adopt part of the "comprehensive immigration reform", it included several measures such as a program to provide a path to legal status for illegal immigrants and a program to help immigrants to adjust to life in the United States. [...]

[...] In 2014, President Barack Obama delivered a speech about the new immigration policy that will be implemented. It took the form of a televised address to the Nation on November The date and the chosen format are paramount. Through several years, President Obama has called on Congress to pass an immigration bill. In 2013 the Senate passed a bill that would mark the most sweeping change to the US immigration policy in decades. It had measures such as clearing the way for millions of undocumented residents to have a chance at citizenship, devoting unprecedented resources for security along the U.S.-Mexico border but also attracting workers from all over the world. [...]