Immigration & Migration in AmericaAs you have seen in the slide show, immigration to America has always been something of different sides of the same coin. On the one hand, America is a nation of immigrants, perhaps unlike any other nation in history. Americans, with a great deal of pride, and with significant justification, see themselves as a land of opportunity that welcomes immigrants to its shores. The best-known example of this is the Statue of Liberty, and the symbolism it conveys. It is further illustrated by the famous poem by Emma Lazarus, printed below, and inscribed on a plague at the base of the famous statue. At the same time, through many periods of its history, many Americans who have been in the country for generations, have taken a hostile attitude toward new immigrants. They see the new immigrants as taking jobs from current Americans, putting a strain on public resources and changing the cultural values of America by their very presence. The photograph above shows an anti-immigrant rally that has been all too typical of the feelings of many Americans in the past decade. As a nation, our relationship to immigration and immigrants is an ambivalent one.
The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883 Assignment: Write an editorial either in support of, or against the passage of the DREAM Act. The article in the Junior Scholastic, "Here to Stay?" mentions the DREAM Act and Obama's Executive Decision to enact a temporary solution to the problem. Use information from the article, and from the two ProCon articles listed below. Also, review the first Website on editorial writing. DO NOT get bogged down in the details of the law itself; assume your audience can understand that the act creates a path to citizenship for minors who were brought to this country illegally. You may want to mention one or two details if they help support your position, but I repeat, DO NOT GET BOGGED DOWN! Helpful Hints & Rubric
Links for Dream Act Editorial
Video Links - watch and use handout: "The Mexican Immigration Experience" The Mexican Immigration Experience (Part 1) time 8:57 The Mexican Immigration Experience (Part 2) time 8:13 The Mexican Immigration Experience (Part 3) time 8:12 |
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