Polarizing Borders: Analyzing Trump's and Biden's Discourses on Immigration

Abstract: Immigration has long been a contentious issue in American politics, serving as a catalyst for societal conflict and polarization. This research examines the distinct discourse employed by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden on immigration, analyzing press briefings utilizing discourse analysis (LIWC) and a securitization theory lens. Findings reveal that Trump’s rhetoric securitizes immigration, amplifying fear and division, while Biden’s liberal institutionalist discourse emphasizes inclusivity but struggles to dismantle entrenched narratives of racism and classism. By uncovering the hidden cognitions and ideological constructs within their language, this analysis highlights the critical role of presidential public diplomacy discourse in shaping conflict dynamics and global perception.

Keywords: polarization, political discourse, immigration, conflict, public diplomacy, Trump, Biden