American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examines how news media portray immigration detention and how these portrayals differ across geographic and temporal contexts. Using a critical media literacy perspective, the research investigates the visibility given to detained individuals, the issues emphasized in reporting, and the relationship between local coverage and wider public discussions of immigration. A critical content analysis was conducted on 180 news articles concerning Stewart Detention Center published between 2006 and April 2020. The articles were examined according to publication year, geographic level, and major themes associated with detention and immigration. The findings indicate that news attention varied considerably across different periods, with reporting increasing during years marked by detainee deaths, allegations of mistreatment, legal disputes, and heightened political attention to immigration. State-level newspapers accounted for a substantial share of the coverage, while national and international reports presented different emphases. The analysis also identified a notable gap between the issues receiving attention in coverage of the detention center and those dominating broader immigration discussions. Reports concerning detainee deaths and conditions of confinement were especially prominent in coverage of the facility but received comparatively limited attention in wider national debates. These patterns demonstrate how geographic reach and media priorities can shape public understanding of detention and determine which experiences become visible. The study highlights the value of critical media literacy for recognizing omissions, examining power relations, and developing a more informed understanding of immigration detention.

Keywords: Immigration Detention; Media Framing; News Narratives; Critical Media Literacy; Content Analysis; Media Representation; Public Discourse; Human Rights; Immigrant Visibility; News Coverage.