Pathos Ethos For Immigration

Immigration, as of the late, has been a fiery topic of discussion in our country. Not just fiery but controversial as well. This issue is one of the most discussed through the recent presidential debates. And it should be. Immigration has been an ongoing obstacle that has yet to find a solution or has yet taken a path to success. With that being said, the United States government should address this issue head on instead of avoiding a major situation that is affecting our everyday lives and economy, starting with an immigration reform. The article, “Immigration Policy” tackles the major issues by using the rhetorical devices of logos, ethos and pathos. At many instances, the article uses pathos, in order to emotionally connect with its audience.

The author of this article uses a form of ethos, by using professional and credible individuals, to state facts and propositions pertaining to immigration. Much like this paper is being written, the author of the article uses phrases and quotes from highly qualified people to cement his stance on the issue and provide evidence that supports his point of view. An example of ethos is found when the author discusses when reforms were trying to be addressed, during the Bush administration. The statement says, “It also allowed more people to enter the country legitimately, by establishing a guest-worker program, ‘a legal and orderly [way] for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis’, as President Bush later described it in his 2007 State of the Union address” (“Immigration Policy,” 2013). The use of President Bush in the article allows for a credible and trustworthy source to discuss the issue at hand and provide a sense of facts and like stated before, credibility to the audience. If the author states what George Bush is saying without mentioning him, it sounds more like an opinion. But as soon as he implements a reliable and well know professional, that statement is then more credible and likely to be trusted. This allows the author to provide professional feedback and give the audience someone credible to listen to and consider if they do end up supporting an immigration