Should America Still Welcome Immigrants?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: In what ways does technology improve our lives? What are the basic principles that define America? What situations—if any—would reasonably allow for bending those principles?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the U.S. should still welcome immigrants. The issue is timely because President Trump has suspended most immigration into the U.S. because of the Covid-19 pandemic.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Wendy Feliz is the head of an organization that advocates for immigrants. As a congressman, Paul Gosar helps set laws, regulations, and policies for the U.S.)
  

3. Core Skill Practice
Project or distribute Analyzing Authors’ Claims and have students use the activity to analyze and evaluate each author’s arguments.

• Analyze Feliz’s view. (Feliz argues in favor of allowing immigration despite the Covid-19 pandemic. She says that America is a nation built on immigration and that immigrants are crucial to how our communities function. She also says that the best way to move America forward is to welcome new ideas, new energy, and new people.)

• Analyze Gosar’s view. (Gosar argues against allowing immigration during the Covid-19 pandemic. He says that Americans who have lost their jobs do not need the additional workplace competition from new immigrants and foreign workers. He says that U.S. policy on immigration should be rooted in serving the interests of the nation, not immigrants.)
  

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should America still welcome immigrants? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.