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Families Matter, but not Human Rights: Gauging Frame Resonance around Immigrant Rights

Sat, August 16, 10:30am to 12:10pm, TBA

Abstract

Social movement scholars in the United States have long ignored activism over immigrant rights, yet this movement raises significant theoretical and empirical questions, especially over which frames are most resonant with the “public.” We leverage the methodological innovation of survey experiments – largely the domain of public opinion researchers – to examine which frames resonate most with a sample of California voters. Frame resonance among the voting public matters since a key movement goal is legalization of undocumented migrants, which requires Congressional legislation. We evaluate economic, human/ citizenship rights, and family unity frames and we pay particular attention to how potentially distinct “publics,” or sub-groups, might react to each frame.

We find that while sociologists and political theorists may hope that human rights appeals can expand the circle of membership, such a frame does not sway public opinion for immigrant rights. Nor does an economic frame. Instead, the most expansive change in attitudes occurs with a family unity frame. This result is noteworthy given how language around marriage equality has also led to advances for the LBGT movement, suggesting a broader lesson on framing resonance among the American public. However, for immigrant rights, a family frame leads to more expansive attitudes only among Republicans. In fact, it likely drives Democrats away from supporting the movement. Activists consequently face not just a challenge in framing their activities outside a citizenship frame, but also in navigating an alternative family frame that builds support among some but might simultaneously build opposition among others.

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