While studying the Gilded Age and the 3rd wave of American immigration, we brought up a lot of questions in our discussions. 

1. Is the wall on our border with Mexico morally / ethically right thing to do  given that the majority of illegal immigrants are people who overstay their work or college visas and NOT those who cross the Mexican border illegally?  Why or why not?

Breaking news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110115/ap_on_re_us/us_border_security_virtual_fence

This article talks about how the U.S. is getting rid of the “virtual fence along the Mexican border b/c it’s too costly. 

   

2. There are vigilantes called the American Border Patrol who patrol the U.S. / Mexican border and occasionally engage in extra-legal activities.  Their leader, Glenn Spencer, also has been one of the more outspoken anti-immigrant voices in American for the past 12 years or so, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.  See link: http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/american-border-patrol/american-patrol 

People are allowed to express their opinions and even broadcast them on the internet.  However, do they have the right to patrol the border and take the law into their own hands?  Their defense was that the American government is not doing its job of protecting the border. 

Here’s the ABP’s website: http://www.americanborderpatrol.com/index.html

Also, CBS News put together a segment on the border fence. Here it is:

3. Should America completely cut off immigration to the U.S.?  Why or why not?  Should the country allow in more people legally?   Why or why not?  Among the issues associated with these two questions, we discussed depressed wages and low-paying jobs and their comparison to the Gilded Age.  

4. Should we make it easier for illegal immigrants in the U.S. to become citizens?  Why or why not?  Former President Bush’s plan included putting the estimated 12 million illegals on the road to citizenship by giving them Social Security numbers so that they can start paying taxes on jobs that they already have (some use fake SSNs).  They’d also have to learn English, apply for the citizenship process, and pay fines. 

Pick 2 of the 4 questions and answer them.  Each question should be around 125 words.   Thanks. 

Due Tuesday January 18 before class begins.