Once you understand that the core business model of Spanish-language TV depends on a steady inflow of immigrants, legal or otherwise, you understand everything else about how these networks cover the news. Hence, Estrella TV’s freakout that President Joe Biden might secure the border in exchange for some more Ukraine cash.
Watch as anchor and activist “analyst” make that case in the plainest of terms:
PALMIRA PEREZ: We begin with the intense negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to pass the financial aid package for Ukraine and Israel. The Biden Administration would be willing to give in on demands to reinforce the southern border and toughen immigration policies.
ABEL NUNEZ: President Biden is giving the indication that the need to send funds for a war in Ukraine at this time is much more important than the immigrant community.
Mr. Nuñez is the head of a nonprofit organization that advocates for migrants- part of the Immigration Industrial Complex. As Hispanic population continues to grow from live births as opposed to immigration, these groups lose power and influence. Spanish-language media lose viewers. So naturally, they lash out.
As prospects of a border-for-Ukraine deal get hashed out, expect more hysterical coverage from these outlets, which view any border security as an existential threat. Estrella’s viewers deserve an alternative.
Click “expand” to view the full aforementioned report as aired on Estrella TV on Thursday, December 7th, 2023:
PALMIRA PEREZ: We begin with the intense negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to pass the financial aid package for Ukraine and Israel. The Biden Administration would be willing to give in on demands to reinforce the southern border and toughen immigration policies. But who would be hurt the most? From Washington, D.C., Alfredo Miranda has the report for us
ALFREDO MIRANDA: In a desperate call to Congress. President Biden said he was willing to negotiate terms of immigration policy in exchange for approving financing for Ukraine's war against the Russian invasion.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN:Extreme Republicans are playing chicken with our national security, holding Ukraine’s funding hostage to their extreme partisan border policies.
But in terms of changes to policy and to provide resources that we need at the border, I’m willing to d- — change policy as well.
MIRANDA: Although there was no mention of what changes in immigration policy the president would be willing to negotiate, his statement alone caused marked concern.
ABEL NUNEZ: President Biden is giving the indication that the need to send funds for a war in Ukraine at this time is much more important than the immigrant community. It is very troubling. The Republicans were attempting very macabre things regarding the political asylum process.
MIRANDA: Republicans intend to toughen the political asylum qualification process, as well as the elimination of conditional release or parole, a power of the president. The decision to negotiate the terms of immigration policy could harm President Biden’s re-election efforts.
NUNEZ: It gives the Republican Party the advantage of not only controlling the narrative, but also negotiating pieces of legislation that will help them in their re-election campaign.
MIRANDA: The Democratic Party has traditionally benefited from the immigrant vote. Perhaps the president's decision could distance the support of Latinos in the 2024 elections.
NÚÑEZ: President Biden is assessing, and I think his conclusion is that he will take action, perhaps a bit harsher. Not only will he not weaken it, but he will strengthen it in some sectors of the immigrant community.
MIRANDA: These sectors would be those that comprise the so-called historical immigration that arrived decades ago, which feels differentiated from recently arrived immigrants.
EMANUEL MANCILLA: It's unfair that many countries are coming, they are granting permission, but we are still in the shadows.
NUNEZ: We are seeing divisions between the - the historical communities and the new flows. And it must be recognized that the newer a community, the less political power they have.
MIRANDA: From Washington, Alfredo Miranda, Noticias Estrella TV.
