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What Would You Do? Should You Support the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill?

INSTRUCTIONS: In this activity, you assume the role of a senator who has received a memo regarding the “path-to-citizenship” immigration bill. You will review arguments for and against this bill, decide whether or not you will support it and then provide a written explanation of your decision.

INTRODUCTION: To: Senator Matthew Joseph

From: Rachel N. James, legislative assistant

Subject: Vote on “path-to-citizenship” immigration bill

Your state has only a small illegal immigration problem, but voters have concerns about both maintaining law and order, and providing economic opportunities and a “path to citizenship” for people who have resided in this country for many years. While there have been many proposals to address this issue in recent years, none have been enacted into law, and hence the need for a new bill. As you contemplate both your vote on the bill and your possible presidential bid as a Republican, note that public opinion on the subject is divided by party, race and ethnicity, and age. For example, a September 2014 Pew Research Center poll asked about priorities in dealing with illegal immigration: 53 percent of Republicans and 43 percent of those over the age of 65 favor tougher border security, whereas 41 percent of Hispanics and 33 percent of Democrats placed more importance on creating a path to citizenship.

To Consider: The U.S. House of Representatives is weighing a bill that would result in the most comprehensive immigration reform in more than a decade. Proponents say it will both improve border security and provide opportunities for legal residency for more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. The bill received a mixed reception, however, as critics denounced the provisions for illegal immigrants, saying they amount to “amnesty” for law breakers.

Review the Arguments:

Review the arguments for and against the “path-to-citizenship” immigration bill and then take a stand either for the bill or against the bill. After casting your vote, you will be asked to explain your decision:

Arguments for:

1. Your state contains a small but slowly growing proportion of first-generation Americans who favor a “path to citizenship” for immigrants who have lived in this country for years, regardless of their legal status.

2. Some argue that illegal immigrants often take menial jobs that nobody else wants, and they contribute to the U.S. economy by paying taxes and buying goods and services.

3. A path to citizenship, with fines and other penalties for being in the country illegally, is the most realistic option for individuals who have family and other long-term ties in the United States.

Arguments against:

1. Your party leaders oppose comprehensive immigration reform, saying that enhanced border security must be a higher priority.

2. Some argue that illegal immigrants take jobs away from native-born Americans and cost more in public services, such as education and emergency health care, than they contribute to the economy.

3. People who entered the country illegally must not be rewarded for breaking the law, and enforcement can be effective with sufficient resources.

Source: Pew Research Center, “More Prioritize Border Security in Immigration Debate,” 2014.

Additional Research:

Immigration is an especially complex issue, so you may want to review an additional summary of this issue at the following link:

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-immigration-debate-0

The following links present the arguments for and against immigration reform. Choose at least one link for each side of the argument and make sure to read through the entire text. Once you have enough information, move onto the next part of the activity.

Arguments in favor of the “path-to-citizenship” immigration bill:

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/news/2014/09/10/96820/why-immigration-reform-is-good-for-all/

https://thinkprogress.org/top-10-reasons-why-the-u-s-needs-comprehensive-immigration-reform-2c5a4b718621/

Arguments against the “path-to-citizenship” immigration bill:

http://www.heritage.org/immigration/report/the-fiscal-cost-unlawful-immigrants-and-amnesty-the-us-taxpayer

https://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2010/02/23/5-reasons-illegal-immigrants-shouldnt-be-given-american-citizenship-n1082914

Will you vote for or against the path-to-citizenship” immigration bill? Why?