Comparative analysis of the migration policy of the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump: a discourse analysis of speeches

Abstract

Based on a qualitative approach, this paper is a comparative analysis of the immigration rhetoric and policies of two presidents, namely Barack Obama and Donald Trump, with focus on their speeches and the major strategies they employ to address the problem and influence the policy. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the thesis examines the approaches of both presidents to immigration: while Obama often emphasized the contribution and humanitarian aspects of immigrants, Trump focused on threats to national security and issues of concern. This analysis reveals significant differences in their rhetorical approaches and the implementation of their policies, highlighting how these differences have influenced immigration discourse in the United States. The study also examines the effectiveness of the policies of the two presidents in reducing illegal immigration: it shows a significant decline during the Obama presidency and further growth under Trump, regardless of his harsh policies.