Immigration Policy:Immigration Policy:

Web Quest:Web Quest:

The Past and the Present The Past and the Present …Where Should the Future …Where Should the Future

Take Us?Take Us?

Franklin High School

Last updated 9-28-08

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The United States is a unique nation for many reasons, today we are going to explore one of those reasons: Immigration. Our country was founded by immigrants and still is populated by immigrants. Over 99% of the students at Franklin can trace immigration back to some where in their families.

Over time our thoughts about immigration have changed, and even continues to change. There are many assimilation theories that have historically and are currently in use to describe immigration in this country. Assimilation theories are how people describe immigration- the two prominent theories are: (1) the melting pot theory-that deals with everyone blending into an “American”, and (2) the salad bowl theory- that deals with everyone bringing their own culture and values to become an American. Historically, the government has treated immigrants in many different lights dependant on the group of immigrants and the time period.

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Your task is to determine how immigrants have been treated throughout time, and how Congress has responded to the immigrants. To do this you must explore several different pieces of immigration legislation. Our time period will range from 1882 to present legislation to get a good overview. After your research stage, we will hold our own Congressional hearing about immigration to help air all of our views about immigration. Your final product will be a letter to your Congressperson about the current immigration policy, and what you feel should be done with immigration in the United States.

Let’s get started…hit the process button above.

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Step One:

Open. This is where you will write down your historical research. You have the option of printing it out and writing your information by hand, or typing the information in as you go along.

Click here to move to the next slide!!

Step Two:You need to research the legislation that is on your charts. Below are links where you will find information about the legislation. The sources include both primary and secondary sources. Read the instructions as you fill in your chart.

Chinese Exclusion Act 1882Gentleman's Agreement 1907 Immigration Act 1924 Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (McCarran- Walter Act)Refugee Relief Act of 1953Immigration Nationality Act of 1965 (scroll down to find out info about act)

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986Immigration Act of 1990

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Recent Trends:Recent Trends:Today's immigrants arrive from all parts of Today's immigrants arrive from all parts of the world. The current phase of the world. The current phase of immigration history began in 1965, when immigration history began in 1965, when strict quotas based on nationality were strict quotas based on nationality were eliminated. In 1978, the United States eliminated. In 1978, the United States government set a single annual world government set a single annual world quota of 290,000, and this ceiling was quota of 290,000, and this ceiling was raised again in 1990 to 700,000. During raised again in 1990 to 700,000. During the 1990s, immigrants have arrived at a the 1990s, immigrants have arrived at a pace that at times has exceeded one pace that at times has exceeded one million new arrivals per year, and have million new arrivals per year, and have settled in all parts of the country.settled in all parts of the country.

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Step ThreeNow, that you have some of the history of US immigration it is time to research the current immigration policy. Begin with the websites below but you may expand your search. Make sure you are taking notes.

Federation for American Immigration Reform:FAIR

States' View

Articles on Immigration

White House information on Immigration

Council of Foreign Relations: 110th Congress

Immigration Reform and the 110th

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Step Four:

Congressional Committee hearing on immigration.

This will be an open panel discussion to debrief the issue of immigration policy in the United States. To aid your discussion you should have your research you have complied.

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Step Five:

Write a letter to your Congressperson. The letter should explain to your Congressperson what you feel needs to be done with the current immigration policy. However, you need to use the historical pieces of legislation to support your stance on immigration. (See rubric for more specific information.)

House of Representatives Senate

The above links will help you to find the address of your Congressperson, you may choose who you want to send it to. (note: You need to enter your nine digit zip code on the HR site- there is a link from there to the post office. Use that link if you are not aware of your nine digit zip code!)

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You will be graded on several aspects of this web quest:

INTERNET RESEARCH:

- Worksheets:

Word-History of Immigration /15

Inspiration- Outline or Web /15

LETTER TO CONGRESSPERSON:

-Student has taken a firm stance on issue /20

-Usage of history to help support your stance /20

-Usage of current immigration law /20

-Proper business letter form /10

-Grammar/spelling /10

-TOTAL: /115

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This project will conclude with a Congressional panel discussion of immigration. Students will use the research they have complied to have a discussion on what should be done with the U.S. immigration policy. The final aspect will be a business letter written to a Congressperson about your stance on US immigration policy.

YOU ARE DONE!!!

CLICK HERE FOR FUN

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When you have completed your task, explore the following sites. You will find fun facts about immigration, a sample citizenship test, and immigration games

Naturalization Self Test- See if you would be able to become a citizen

Immigration Myths and Realities- Test your knowledge

Angel Island- The entrance port in the West

Ellis Island – The port in the East