Immigration Policy:

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Immigration Policy

• Web Quest
• The Past and the Present Where Should the Future
  Take Us?

Franklin High School Last updated 9-28-08
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Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion

Introduction
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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Task
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.
Lets get startedhit the process button above.
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Process
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!!
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Process
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
1882 Gentleman's Agreement 1907 Immigration Act
1924 Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952
(McCarran- Walter Act) Refugee Relief Act of
1953 Immigration Nationality Act of 1965 (scroll
down to find out info about act) Immigration
Reform and Control Act of 1986 Immigration Act of
1990
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Process

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

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Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion
Process
Step Three Now, 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 ReformFAIR 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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Process
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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Process
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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Evaluation

• 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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Conclusion
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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Student Resources
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