Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
9-2022
Document Type
Capstone Project
Degree Name
M.A.
Program
International Migration Studies
Advisor
Monica Varsanyi
Subject Categories
American Politics | Immigration Law | Law and Politics | Law and Society | Migration Studies | Performance Studies | Politics and Social Change | State and Local Government Law
Keywords
border spectacle, immigration federalism, state politics, anti-immigrant attitudes, Texas border
Abstract
Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 to respond to the “crisis” at the United States/Mexico border. While in the US immigration is usually thought of as a federal responsibility, different states have worked to expand their capacity to welcome or exclude immigrants. Operation Lone Star is an example of how one state is working to restrict immigration to the US and build notoriety for its republican governor. Drawing on press releases, executive orders, news articles, opinion pieces, and other sources I highlight the performative politics within this initiative. Operation Lone Star is an example of how states promote spectacular interpretations of the border to levy power against the federal government and capture attention for political entrepreneurs. Leaning on theories of border spectacle and border games, I demonstrate how the tension between federal and state governments makes immigration federalism particularly prone to image-driven politics. I conclude with suggestions for future research into immigration federalism and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Recommended Citation
Puretz, Danielle, "Operation Lone Star: The Spectacle of Immigration Federalism" (2022). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5120
Included in
American Politics Commons, Immigration Law Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Law and Society Commons, Migration Studies Commons, Performance Studies Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, State and Local Government Law Commons