Honors Assignment for Chapter 6

This week you have learned about the arguments for/against immigration in the late 1800s. Immigration reform is still a hot-button topic in the United States. It will only grow more heated as the 2012 election draws closer. You will find that any time the country finds itself in a financial slump, we have sought out groups to attach blame to. Lately, we have seen more anti-immigration efforts and ads when it comes to Mexican and Hispanic immigration. Why is this? For this assignment, you will research immigration reform efforts from either 2010 or 2011 (I would suggest researching the Dream Act, the Dream Act of Illinois,…etc.). I want you to list a few of the reform efforts or bills that have been introduced or passed to either curb immigration or encourage it by giving 2nd generation immigrants a pathway to citizenship. Compare and contrast the reasons for wanting to curb immigration now in 2011 with the ideas for curbing it back in the late 1800s. Remember, I do not want your personal opinion unless I specifically ask for it. In this case, I do not. Also, you cannot write that the immigrants are “taking our jobs” unless you are quoting a specific source. First, it is impossible to physically come over here and take over a job. The job had to be given to them by the employer. Do not tell me that they will work for less so they get the jobs. Again, So who should the public really be mad at?