09/05/2007

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Immigration Today

 

INTRODUCTION

 

News Paper Editorial

I agree that these people are a matter of great concern to us. I fear that one day, through their mistakes or ours, great troubles may occur. The ones who come here are usually the most stupid of their nation. Few understand our language, so w e cannot communicate with them through our newspapers. Their priests and religious leaders seem to have little influence over them. They are not used to freedom and do not know how to use it properly. It has been reported that young men do not believe the y are true men until they have shown their manhood by beating their mothers. They do not believe they are truly free unless they also abuse and insult their teachers.

And now they are coming to our country in great numbers. Few of their children know English. They bring in much of their own reading from their homeland and print newspapers in their own language. In some parts of our state, ads, street signs, and even so many  legal documents are in their own language and allowed in courts.

Unless the stream of these people can be turned away from their country to other countries, they will soon outnumber us so that we will not be able to save our language or our government. However, I am not in favor of keeping them out entirely. All that seems necessary is to distribute them more evenly among us and set up more schools that teach English. In this way, we will preserve the true heritage of our country.

         Editor  Ms. I.M. Wright      [From a major Eastern USA newspaper]

 

It appears that there are many passionate voices in the community that is arguing against immigration to the United States.  A national debate is being conducted both in the media and around dinning room tables.  Some people are reading the above and truly believing it.  On the other hand, some people are passionately accepting an opposite point of view: 

  • "Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life."

  • What, then, is this new man, the American? They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race, now called Americans, have arisen.

    J. Hector St. Josh de Crevecouer

 

THE TASK:

You and members of an "outwest" newspapers are trying to decide what type of stand to take on this major issue.  Because of the strong possibility that a  new and large production plant will soon be built in the community, the newspaper is trying to decide what might be best for the community.  It has been seen that this company elsewhere has hired recent immigrants which  may cause problems in the community. 

In order to present a logical series of reports in the coming days in the newspaper, you and other members of the newspaper are going to examine a variety of aspects and perspectives on the issue of immigration.  Members of the local editorial staff will answer questions about the topic and then write an editorial for the local newspaper.   Your major task is to better inform the public about what is right thing to do.

To complete this task these questions need to be considered and responded to:

  • What is the current national debate about "immigration reform" all about?

  • What are the impacts and implications of immigration to the US today-- economic, social, political

  • What are the actual statistics, facts and figures about immigration today?

  • Who are the immigrants and refugees in the US today? Where do they come from and why are they here?

  • Do we need to reform immigration laws that will encourage immigration or restrict it?

Before you and your group begin the task you should consider the following during a brainstorming session:

  • What do you already know about immigration?

  • Are you, any family members friends, neighbors  you know immigrants?

  • What does the term "immigration reform" mean?  How have immigration laws changed over the years?

 

THE PROJECT:

Choose one of the roles.  Surf the links and collect any information to create your letter to the people.  The format of the "letter to the people" can be either a power point or a webpage.  It would be a good idea for the group as a whole to accept the immigration of one large group of the early 21st century:  Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, China, India, Caribbean, Central America.

Internet Resources:   A variety of sources.  Don't limit yourself to only these.

Illegal Immigrants:  what should be done?

 

News Editor:

Summarize some current hot issues in the news relating to immigration.  The news editor will also oversee the final product.

Statistician:

Get the facts and figures behind immigration today.

Political Correspondent from Washington

Define the current debate over immigration reform.  What are the arguments pro and con from both the executive branch and legislative branch of the government?

Features Editor:

What is life like for an immigrant today?  Select as a representative example one current immigrant or refugee group. 

Photojournalist:

Find photos on the Internet to supplement the work of the  News Editor. 

Final Product

        Meet as a group and compile your findings into either a Power Point or a webpage.  The final product will be an editorial piece expressing the opinions of your group on the issues that you explored.  To write the editorial, go back to the original questions that the group was given--- see above.

 

Conclusion:

Unless you are a Native American, you and/or your ancestors are relatively recent immigrants to the Western Hemisphere.  Many African Americans are the descendants of abducted and enslaved Africans who did not come to the Western Hemisphere on a voluntary basis.  In spite of the fact that immigration and multiculturalism   are fundamental characteristics of this nation, it has been the source of much debate and discord.  It seems immigration has always presented a dilemma for American's attempt to find an identity.  It is therefore, an issue of great importance to all of us.

 

Return  to the editorial above [placed in the box].  Who originally wrote this and approximately when?

 

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