Group A: Migration from Mexico to the USA
People migrate for two reasons. Firstly, they may wish to get away from things they do not
like. These are called “push factors” and include political fears, natural disasters and poor
living conditions. Secondly, people are attracted to things that they do like. These are called
“pull factors” and include hopes for better housing and education, chances of a job and good
medical care. The United States has been a usual destination for immigrants from all over the
world. It is a wealthy place with many opportunities, high standards of living, and an
attractive way of life. All these things put together are sometimes called the “American
Dream” – a vision of freedom, opportunity and good living which is available for everybody.
For people living in poor conditions in Mexico migration to the United States has been
normal and since 1940 many Mexicans have migrated northwards.
Most Mexicans settle in California or Texas. Some cross the border legally but perhaps as
many as two million a year cross it without permission (= Erlaubnis). Many Mexicans now
live permanently in the USA but some stay there only on a temporary (= vorläufig) basis.
They take seasonal jobs and when the work is finished they return to Mexico. Others cross the
border every day to work and then return home at night. Most do unskilled and low paid work
but even in those jobs they can earn more in a month than they could in a full year in Mexico.
But not all American people are happy with Mexican migration. Especially if they are
unemployed, like Bill Bradley. This is what he thinks: “I’m sick of these Mexicans coming
into our country. They take our jobs, live in our houses and try to change our cities to suit
their way of life. I don’t have a job and I really don’t think it is fair that a foreigner should get
work before me”. But Eddie Miller, a restaurant owner, thinks otherwise. For him, Mexicans
are great: “I can’t afford to pay high salaries (= Löhne) but the Mexicans seem to be happy on
low pay so that’s good for my business. I think we should encourage Mexicans to live in
America because they do work that we don’t like and they are good for our economy”.
1. Underline the most important information of your text.
2. When you have finished go to the blackboard and wait for a partner from the „BSide“.
3. Then he/she will ask you some questions.
4. Please answer these questions.
5. When you have finised ask your partner the questions below. Write down his/her
answers in note-form.
a. What is the job of a coyote?
b. Why do so many Mexican Immigrants chose the way through the desert in Arizona?
c. What are the goals of most of the Mexican immigrants?
d. What is the goal of the minority (= Minderheit) of the Mexican immigrants?
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Group B: Illegal Immigration from Mexico to the USA
As Mexico, a very poor country, is just across the border (= Grenze) to the USA, it is no
wonder why for many generations Mexicans have illegally crossed the border. They come to
live the American dream.
Before and during the 1980s it was easy to illegally cross the border. Illegal immigrants could
cross the river with the help of a “coyote” or smuggler. The only purpose (= Zweck, hier:
Aufgabe) of the “coyote” is to get them to the opposite side of the border in exchange for
money. These „coyotes” usually know the tricks to cross the border.
Today many illegal immigrants and their “coyotes” must try to cross the border through the
Arizona desert. This is because of the better security along the Mexico-U.S. border near
California. More check points with U.S. border patrols ( = Grenzpolizei) are now along the
American side of the border. There are many security measures now that have been built at
and around the Mexico-U.S. border throughout the years. As a result, it has become more
difficult to illegally cross the border.
The fees for a “coyote” easily run into the thousands dollars per individual. Immigrants are
willing to risk their lives in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Once an
immigrant is able to get across the border, he/she has two main goals:
1. to send part of their money back home to their family and
2. to bring more family members to the United States.
They hope to get permanent residency (= Aufenthaltserlaubnis) and possibly U.S. citizenship
(= Staatsbürgerschaft).
However, there are some illegal immigrants with a different purpose. They come to cross the
border to find a job that will allow them to save enough to buy a house or to set up their own
business when they return to Mexico.
1. Underline the most important information of your text.
2. When you have finished go to the blackboard and wait for a partner from the
„A-Side“.
3. Then he/she will ask you some questions.
4. Please answer these questions.
5. When you have finised ask your partner the questions below. Write down his/her
answers in note-form.
a. What three things does the United States seem to offer to immigrants?
b. What kind of jobs do Mexican immigrants do in the USA?
c. Why is Bill Bradley not happy that there are so many Mexican immigrants?
d. Why is Eddie Miller happy that there are many Mexican immigrants?
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Tasks:
 Find, together with your group, reasons which support your opinion
 Write down these reasons in note form on your card
The following sentences might help you in the discussion:
1. Reacting:
 + I agree (with you)…
 + That’s true….
 + Yes, you are right…
 - Sorry, I don’t agree with you…
 - That’s not right …
 - I don’t think you can say
 - You say … but …
2. Expressing your opinion
 In my opinion…
 I think/feel…
3. Bridging (from opinion to reason)
 Let me explain…
4. Giving reasons (facts or examples)
 Well, you see..
 First… second … and then/finally…
 Just remember … and don’t forget…
 Let me give you an example…
5. Summing up your opinion
 That’s why…
So, to sum up I would say…
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A letter to the editor of the San Diego Chronicle
Homework
Task: You have been living as an illegal immigrant in San Diego for quite a while. In the newspaper
“San Diego Chronicle” there was an article about illegal immigrants in California. Write a letter to
the editor (Leserbrief).
You may talk about:
 your life back home in Mexico
 your new life over here in the States
 how you came to the USA with the help of a coyote
 …………..
 …………..
Start like this:
San Diego, 08th May 2007
Dear Sir/Madam,
thanks a lot for your article in your newspaper some days ago. I am an illegal immigrant and I
would like to tell you about ...
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Yours sincerely,
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Bill Bradley
(unemployed)
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Eddie Miller
(guy who employs Mexicans)
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Pedro Gonzalez
(illegal immigrant to the USA)
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Carlos Garcia
(„coyote“)
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Dr. Adam Sutcliffe
(US-official and leader of the discussion)
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