Immigration Policy Paper
(40 pts)
You may choose to work alone or with a partner.
The US has historically chosen to solve problems with immigration by limiting the number of people allowed into the
country.
Is this the policy our modern Government should pursue, or should we take a new approach?
Your paper must:
1. Examine modern attitudes
towards immigration
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2. Examine President Obama’s
current policy regarding young
illegal immigrants
3. Choose a direction for US
Immigration Policy (All
information for this section is in
your packet and brain)
What do we see as the pros and cons of immigration
How do current attitudes compare to attitudes in the late 1800s and early
1900s?
What are the current attitudes of the US Government/Citizens towards
immigration?
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What is the policy?
What are the pros and cons of this policy?
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Describe your policy choice
How is it similar and/or different to President Obama’s policy?
What are the 2 most important values connected to your policy
According to these values, what image is the US projecting to the world?
What are the pros and cons of this policy
Why should these values serve as the basis for our country’s immigration
policy? (Why is this the best option)
4. Use at least 4 sources, recorded in Works Cited in MLA format
Paper Requirements: Times New Roman Font, Size 12, double spaced
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Paragraph 1 - Introduction
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Paragraph 2 – Current attitudes towards immigration
o What are the current attitudes of the US Government/Citizens towards immigration?
o What does our nation and citizenry believe are the pros and cons of immigration
o How do current attitudes compare to attitudes in the late 1800s and early 1900s?
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Paragraph 3 - President Obama’s policy
o Brief description of President Obama’s policy regarding young illegal immigrants
o What are the pros and cons of this policy?
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Paragraph 4 – Your policy
o Describe your policy
o How is it similar and/or different to President Obama’s policy?
o What are the 2 most important values connected to your policy
o According to these values, what image is the US projecting to the world?
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Paragraph 5 – Your policy
o What are the pros and cons of your policy
o Why should these values serve as the basis for our country’s immigration policy? (Why is this policy the
best option)
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Paragraph 6 - Summary
SOURCES: 4 + sources are required on your works cited page
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Works Cited: MLA format (source guide: http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/mla#mla)
o Make sure your sources are listed in alphabetical order
SOURCE 1
SOURCE 2
SOURCE 3 and 4
The packet you received from
Mrs. V (policy values and
discussion of modern
immigration issues)
Newspaper article regarding
President Obama’s immigration
policy (given to you in class)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/1
1/17/us/obama-immigrationprogram-sees-rapid-rise-inapplications.html
YOUR CHOICE
Suggestions from Mrs. V:
Gallup Poll regarding public opinion on immigration
http://www.gallup.com/poll/155210/americanspositive-immigration.aspx
NY Times Topic: Immigration
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/
subjects/i/immigration-and-emigration/index.html
Center for Immigration Studies
http://www.cis.org/
US office of Immigration Statistics
http://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics
ProCon.org Immigration Section
http://immigration.procon.org/
“30 Days” episode: http://vimeo.com/11155073
Places a man who is deeply against illegal
immigration into the home of a family for 30 days
that is here in the US illegally. This episode was
recorded in 2006; it mentions the “Dream Act”
which was turned down by Congress in 2008. Some
representatives today want to see the “Dream Act”
reconsidered. You can read more about the “Dream
Act” at http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/justfacts/dream-act
US Immigration Department Website
www.uscis.gov