Cirriculum Vitae

My research that intersects with Latina/o & Mexican American Studies in two ways: the president's relationship to Spanish-language media and immigration

Concerning Spanish-language media, I have published two relevant pieces.

• "The President on Spanish-Language Television News" examines how Telemundo coverage of the president compares with NBC's coverage presidential news coverage. The findings are two-fold. Telemundo cover presidential news stories most relevant to its Latino audience, and presidential speeches influence the amount of that news coverage
• Comparing the tone of news coverage reveals that Telemundo is less negative than NBC in its coverage of the president. Nevertheless, President Obama did not enjoy more positive coverage on immigration, an issue of central importance to the Latino community, despite prioritizing a trip to the southern border during of period of study.

The quality of immigration policy relates to myriad questions concerning LMAS. My more recent research agenda explores the politics of immigration, particularly the amount, shape, and tone of presidential rhetoric on immigration policy.

• Building upon an initial analysis published in American Politics Research (2002), The Presidency and Immigration Policy (Routledge) presents a comprehensive analysis of what explains the frequency and tone of the president's immigration rhetoric, and whether the president's immigration policy agenda can influence the news media, public, and Congress.
• We demonstrate that public concern is key to increasing public attention to immigration policy and conclude that the congressional environment must be favorable to immigration reform, regardless of the president's rhetoric, to mitigate one of the most important US human security issues of the last 25 years.

My current research agenda answers two additional questions about the presidency and the politics of immigration.

• What motivates presidents to speak more optimistically about immigration?
• Is presidential rhetoric instrumental in shaping the punitive nature of the president's immigration executive orders?