The Last Word: Quiz Monday
FrontPage: Research Qs on your desk. What image or picture comes to mind when you think of “immigration”?
A Nation of ImmigrantsA Nation of Immigrants What is the purpose of the Statue of What is the purpose of the Statue of
Liberty?Liberty? What is the meaning of the following What is the meaning of the following
inscription found on Ellis Island?inscription found on Ellis Island?The New Colossus The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standHere at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame."Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries sheWith silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
A Land of Immigrants?A Land of Immigrants? Why is the United States often considered a Why is the United States often considered a
“land of immigrants”?“land of immigrants”? So, where are Americans from?So, where are Americans from?
** Where do ** Where do most legal most legal immigrants immigrants come from? come from?
Origin of Legal Origin of Legal Immigrants to Immigrants to the USthe US(2006)(2006)
Getting into the USGetting into the US Need a Need a visavisa to gain to gain
entrance into the USentrance into the US 2 types:2 types:
Immigrant visaImmigrant visa: if you : if you want to stay here want to stay here permanentlypermanently
Non-immigrant visaNon-immigrant visa: if : if you are just visitingyou are just visiting
Need a “Need a “Green CardGreen Card” ” to stay permanentlyto stay permanently
““Permanent Residency Permanent Residency Card”; not really greenCard”; not really green
A Land of Immigrants?A Land of Immigrants? How have immigrants often been treated How have immigrants often been treated
throughout the history of the United States?throughout the history of the United States?
Is this true today?Is this true today?
There is a great deal of controversy There is a great deal of controversy over the issue of immigration in the over the issue of immigration in the US today…US today…
Some StatisticsSome Statistics
The US admits approximately 900,000 legal The US admits approximately 900,000 legal immigrants (permanent residents) every immigrants (permanent residents) every year (900,000 is .3% of the US population).year (900,000 is .3% of the US population).
The State Department issues 5 million visas The State Department issues 5 million visas authorizing temporary admission to the US.authorizing temporary admission to the US.
The criteria for admission for permanent The criteria for admission for permanent residence is much more stringent than for residence is much more stringent than for temporary visitors.temporary visitors.
Top Ten Foreign Countries - Foreign Born Population Among U.S. Immigrants
2010 2010, %
Mexico 9,600,000 23.7%
China 1,900,000 4.7%
Philippines 1,700,000 4.2%
India 1,610,000 4.0%
Vietnam 1,200,000 3.0%
Cuba 1,100,000 2.7%
Korea 880,000 2.2%Total Foreign
Born40,500,000
Historical Data from 2000 U.S. Census and 2004 Yearbook of Immigrant Statistics
The goals of current immigration The goals of current immigration policypolicy
To reunite families by admitting immigrants who To reunite families by admitting immigrants who already have family members living in the USalready have family members living in the US
To admit workers in occupations with a strong To admit workers in occupations with a strong demand for labordemand for labor
To provide a refuge for people who face the risk To provide a refuge for people who face the risk of political, racial, or religious persecution in of political, racial, or religious persecution in their home countriestheir home countries
To provide admission to people from a diverse To provide admission to people from a diverse set of countriesset of countries
Why is there Illegal Why is there Illegal Immigration?Immigration?
Pathways of legal immigration are Pathways of legal immigration are slow and costly: significant slow and costly: significant backlogs at USCIS. backlogs at USCIS.
Under the category of unskilled Under the category of unskilled workers in shortage areas, there is workers in shortage areas, there is a cap of only 10,000 green cards a cap of only 10,000 green cards annually.annually.
Homework: Citizenship/Immigration quiz Monday
FrontPage: Discuss the cartoon and question at your table.
Artist Dain Fagerholm creates these stereographic GIF drawings that are simply amazing.
What does What does this cartoon this cartoon say about say about immigration immigration and the and the history of history of America?America?
What does this cartoon say about our What does this cartoon say about our attitude towards immigration today?attitude towards immigration today?
And what does this say about American And what does this say about American attitudes towards immigration?attitudes towards immigration?
Current Issues in Current Issues in ImmigrationImmigration
Who gets in legally and why/how many?Who gets in legally and why/how many? 4-12 million illegals; what to do?4-12 million illegals; what to do?
– Path to citizenship or path back homePath to citizenship or path back home
Should we try to stop the flow?Should we try to stop the flow?– Increased border patrol? Border fence? “Virtual” border Increased border patrol? Border fence? “Virtual” border
fence? Open border?fence? Open border?– How will these increased security measures be funded?How will these increased security measures be funded?
““Guest-workers” and illegals working in the US; Guest-workers” and illegals working in the US; – Help or hurt the economy?Help or hurt the economy?
GuestGuest WorkerWorker: someone who travels (legally or : someone who travels (legally or illegally) to another country for a specified time to work illegally) to another country for a specified time to work and does not necessarily intend to stayand does not necessarily intend to stay
How urgent is this problem?How urgent is this problem?– Is American security impacted by immigration or are there Is American security impacted by immigration or are there
other issues that are more important?other issues that are more important?
Everyone Agrees the System is Everyone Agrees the System is Broken As is….Broken As is…. But What to Do to Fix It? But What to Do to Fix It?
Congress is currently debating more Congress is currently debating more than a dozen proposals to alter or than a dozen proposals to alter or overhaul US immigration policyoverhaul US immigration policy
The Last Word/FrontPageThe Last Word/FrontPage
What symbol/statue would you What symbol/statue would you create for the US/Mexican border create for the US/Mexican border to send an immigration message?to send an immigration message?
Should the US still support that Should the US still support that message on the Statue of Liberty?message on the Statue of Liberty?