This week you read a lot about immigration. You examined the historical and current patterns. You also looked at how the restrictionistsentiment increased and how the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act changed the composition of immigration.

Today immigration is once again a hot topic riddled with misconceptions. Our text points out five continuing criticisms relating to immigration policy; brain-drain, population growth, mixed-status families, language barriers, and illegal immigration.

For your first post in our discussion this week, choose one of the position statements listed below and research and defend your position. Be sure to cite your sources. Participate with your classmates by responding to their positions. 

Debate Topics

1.  Individual states should have the right to pass their own immigration laws based on what is best for their citizens.
2. Congress should consider changing the 14^th Amendment to deny children born in the U.S. automatic citizenship if a parent is an illegal immigrant in the U.S.
3. The answer to the illegal immigrant problem in the U.S. is to tighten border security (increased border patrol and fence) and make concerted effort to find and deport all illegal immigrants.
4. Illegal immigrants should be provided a path for citizenship. Pay fines, learn English, obey the laws, and wait your turn to be considered for citizenship.
5. Undocumented immigrants actually contribute positively to our economy as workers, taxpayers, and consumers.
6. Illegal immigrants put a tremendous strain on social services like education, health care, and welfare.
7. The U.S. should expand its foreign aid programs and trade benefits for developing countries. This will reduce the number of immigrants who want to leave their countries and come to the U.S.
8. The U.S. must deny education, health care, and other social services to illegal immigrants, except in cases of emergency.
9. Employers should be able to hire who they want. They should not be required to make employees prove they are here legally.
10. The U.S. should increase the number of visas given to highly skilled workers, including foreign graduates with advanced degrees. They should have preference for coming to the U.S.