Syllabus Area Three: The Immigration Debate

Theories of Immigration Melting Pot Salad Bowl The Mosaic

Theories of Immigration Melting Pot No matter how people in the USA start out – Cuban, African American, Chinese – once they have been in the USA for a while they become ‘American’ and lose their individual identity.

Theories of Immigration Salad Bowl Different ethnic groups mix together to create an American society, but keep their individual identities and cultures to enrich their society.

Theories of Immigration Mosaic People have a choice about whether they wanted to be either an ‘American’ or to keep their own identity.

Immigration Aims: Examine the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors which attract people to the USA. Identify the main arguments for and against immigration.

Push and Pull Factors PULL FACTORS Reasons why people are attracted to the USA. Wealth Land Jobs Good education Religious Freedom Political Freedom PUSH FACTORS Reasons why people want to leave their own country. Poverty Hunger War No religious freedom No land No free speech No political freedom

California Texas US-Mexican Border is 2,000 miles long

The Problem of Immigration Each year around 700,000 immigrants enter the USA. But there are 4-8 million illegal immigrants in the USA. 2-3,000 illegals attempt to cross the US-Mexican border each night. Many come through organised gangs who transport people over to work in the USA. States near that border e.g. California have high numbers of illegal immigrants and some US farmers pay to have illegal workers brought over as cheap labour. Many Americans are particularly concerned about the high number of illegal immigrants.

Illegal Immigration Your teacher will show you four short video clips about illegal immigration. Watch the clips carefully and then write down 5 key points about illegal immigration.

Arguments For Immigration Immigrants do jobs that American citizens refuse to do. Many immigrants are young and contribute to the economy by working and paying taxes. The USA attracts hard-working and skilled workers from other country. The majority of new businesses are started by foreign-born people. Immigrants bring new cultures which makes the US a multi-cultural society.

Arguments Against Immigration They take jobs from Americans. They will work for less and undercut the wages of US workers. They receive government benefits and cost the country money. Around 25% of prison inmates are recent immigrants. Whites fear they will no longer be in the majority.

The Immigration Debate As a group discuss and answer the following questions: What is the strongest argument in favour of immigration? What is the strongest argument against immigration?

Illegal Immigration Illegal immigration particularly affects border states e.g. California, Texas. Many Mexicans cross the border illegally and many farmers, business owners and wealthy people are willing to employ illegal immigrants because they can pay them low wages. Many illegal immigrants cross the border on their own or are smuggled over by organised gangs.

Proposition 187 In 1994 this referendum was part of the state elections in California. Voters were asked to vote in favour of denying illegal immigrants education, healthcare and welfare benefits. Public workers e.g. teachers, social workers, health workers would have to report anyone who was suspected. The supporters of Proposition 187 argued illegal immigration was costing the taxpayer too much money and causing unemployment.

The Results 59% of Californian voters were in favour of Proposition 187. The only ethnic group where a majority voted against the Proposition were the Hispanics. Many poor whites/blacks were angry and concerned about unemployment and job competition with illegal immigrants. The Proposition was challenged in the courts and it was declared ‘unconstitutional’ as only the federal government has the power to make laws about immigration.

Attitudes To Immigration Since the mid-1990s anti-immigration feeling softened in the USA as the economy improved and unemployment fell. Since Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing group many politicians recognise that cannot afford to lose their support in elections. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks the government has tightened up the rules which allow people into the USA and this has reduced the number of immigrants entering the USA.