Assessment quiz
in
Immigration
After reading the above debate, take our assessment quiz to test your knowledge of this issue. Good luck!
1-minute survey
After reading this debate, take our quick survey to see how this information affected your opinion of this topic. We appreciate your feedback.
Discussion questions
- Should the U.S. government provide a path to citizenship for immigrants without legal status? Explain your answer(s).
- If the government were to provide a path to citizenship, what (if any) obligations should the immigrants without legal status meet? Consider current requirements for citizenship as well as extra obligations you think appropriate. Explain your answer(s).
- If the government does not provide a path to citizenship, what other actions should be taken? Consider solutions such as a green card type of status, mass deportations, civil court actions, laws to criminalize crossing the border without documentation, etc. Explain your answer(s).
- What questions do you have after reading the debate above? Where might you find answers?
- What was the most interesting thing you learned from this debate?
- Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? How and why?. If your thoughts have not changed, explain how and why you better understand the other side of the debate.
- Push for the position and policies you support by writing local officials, U.S. senators and representatives, or other people in a position to make the change you champion.
Sources
- Francine Kiefer, âImmigration Reform 101: How Is âLegal Statusâ Different from Citizenship?â (January 31, 2014), csmonitor.com
- USA.gov, âDeportationâ (April 18, 2022), usa.gov
- Dan Clark, âIs Living as an Undocumented Immigrant in the U.S. a Crime?â (December 1, 2017), politifact.com
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, âAmnestyâ (December 2021), law.cornell.edu
- James P. Sterba, âCarter Plan Would Give Amnesty to Illegal Aliens Already in U.S.â (April 18, 1977), nytimes.com
- Evan Wyloge, âThe Immigration Reform and Control Act: What It Is, Why It Mattersâ (November 6, 1986), asu.news21.com
- Library of Congress, âA Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States, 1986: Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986â (accessed May 24, 2022), guides.loc.gov
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, â8 CFR Subpart A - Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) Legalization Provisionsâ (accessed May 24, 2022), law.cornell.edu
- MĂłnica Ortiz Uribe, ââMy Life Couldâve Been Completely Differentâ: Revisiting Impacts of 1986 Irca Amnestyâ (February 17, 2021), elpasotimes.com,
- Nancy Rytina, âIRCA Legalization Effects: Lawful Permanent Residence and Naturalization through 2001â (October 25, 2022), dhs.gov
- Andrew Taylor, â2 GOP Presidents Acted Unilaterally on Immigrationâ (November 17, 2014), usnews.com
- John Kruzel, âDid Reagan and H.W. Bush Issue Actions Similar to DACA, as Al Franken Said?â (September 8, 2017), politifact.com
- American Immigration Council, âReagan-Bush Family Fairness: A Chronological Historyâ (December 9, 2014), americanimmigrationcouncil.org
- Mark Krikorian, âObamaâs Unprecedented Amnestyâ (November 18, 2014), nationalreview.com
- Dara Lind, âThe Disastrous, Forgotten 1996 Law That Created Todayâs Immigration Problemâ (April 28, 2016), vox.com
- White House, âPresident Bushâs Plan For Comprehensive Immigration Reformâ (May 15, 2006), georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov
- Donna Smith, âSenate Kills Bush Immigration Reform Billâ (June 28, 2007), reuters.com
- American Immigration Council, âThe Dream Act: An Overviewâ (March 16, 2021), americanimmigrationcouncil.org
- U.S. Congress, âS.264 - Dream Act of 2021â (accessed May 26, 2022), congress.gov
- U.S. Congress, âH.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021â (accessed May 26, 2022), congress.gov
- Undocumented Student Program, âDACA Informationâ (accessed January 30, 2018), undocu.berkeley.edu
- Homeland Security, âDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)â (January 29, 2018), dhs.gov
- Vanessa Romo, Martina Stewart, and Brian Naylor, âTrump Ends DACA, Calls On Congress To Actâ (September 5, 2017), npr.org
- Michael D. Shear and Emily Cochrane, âTrump Says Administration Will Try Again to End âDreamersâ Programâ (June 19, 2020), nytimes.com
- Nina Totenberg, âSupreme Court Rules For DREAMers, against Trumpâ (June 18, 2020), npr.org
- Tal Kopan and Jeremy Diamond, âWhite House Proposes Path to Citizenship for 1.8 Million Peopleâ (January 26, 2018), cnn.com
- Rafael Bernal, âTrump Says Heâll Sign Order with âRoad to Citizenshipâ for DACA Recipientsâ (July 10, 2020), thehill.com
- Joseph R. Biden, âPreserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)â (January 20, 2021), whitehouse.gov
- Ken Stone, âWhite House Walks Back Trump Vow Heâll Give Dreamers Path to U.S. Citizenshipâ (July 10, 2020), timesofsandiego.com
- U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement, âCBP Enforcement Statistics Fiscal Year 2023â (November 14, 2022), cbp.gov
- Eve Zuckoff, âMigrants on Marthaâs Vineyard Flight Say They Were Told They Were Going to Bostonâ (September 15, 2022), npr.org
- Camilo Montoya-Galvez, âNew York Declares State of Emergency over Migrant Arrivals, Citing Dwindling Shelter Spaceâ (October 7, 2022), cbsnews.com
- Rafael Bernal, âPoll: 70 percent of Americans Support a Path to Citizenshipâ (February 16, 2022), thehill.com
- J. Baxter Oliphant and Andy Cerda, âRepublicans and Democrats Have Different Top Priorities for U.S. Immigration Policyâ (September 8, 2022), pewresearch.org
- Laura Collins, âSolutions for Undocumented Immigrantsâ (January 19, 2021), bushcenter.org
- Randy Capps, et al, âUnauthorized Immigrants in the United States: Stable Numbers, Changing Originsâ (December 2020), migrationpolicy.org
- New American Economy, âUndocumented Immigrantsâ (accessed June 2, 2022), newamericaneconomy.org
- Giovanni Peri and Reem Zaiour, âCitizenship for Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost U.S. Economic Growthâ (June 14, 2021), americanprogress.org
- White House, âRemarks by the President on Immigrationâ (June 15, 2012), obamawhitehouse.archives.gov
- Migration Policy Institute, âDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Toolsâ (accessed June 3, 2022), migrationpolicy.org
- fwd.us, âDreamers by the Numbersâ (March 1, 2021), fwd.us
- Laurence Benenson, âFact Sheet: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)â (October 16, 2020), immigrationforum.org
- Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix, âA Deeper Look at the DREAMers Who Could Feature in the Legalization Debate in Congressâ (February 2021), migrationpolicy.org
- Nicole Prchal Svajlenka and Trinh Q. Truong, âThe Demographic and Economic Impacts of DACA Recipients: Fall 2021 Editionâ (November 24, 2021), americanprogress.org
- Richard Barth, âDreamers Are Essential To America. Let Them Become Citizensâ (November 29, 2021), forbes.com
- Tom Jawetz, âRestoring the Rule of Law Through a Fair, Humane, and Workable Immigration Systemâ (July 22, 2019), americanprogress.org
- Miriam Jordan, âThe Overlooked Undocumented Immigrants: From India, China, Brazilâ (December 1, 2019), nytimes.com
- David J. Bier, âWhy the Legal Immigration System Is Broken: A Short List of Problemsâ (July 10, 2018), cato.org
- Matt OâBrien, âRewarding Bad Behavior Is the Worst Approach to Illegal Immigrationâ (March 1, 2018), thehill.com
- James Carafano, et al, âHeritage Experts: Bidenâs Amnesty Proposal âTrades American Interests for Far-Leftâs Political Aspirationsââ (February 18, 2021), heritage.org
- .Joseph Chamie, âWhat Should Be the Consequences for Illegal Immigration?â (February 5, 2021), thehill.com
- Lora Ries, âDoes the US Owe Amnesty to Future Illegal Immigrants?â (October 26, 2020), thehill.com
- Emily Sacia, âCochise Sheriff: Border Crime at âAll-Time High,â Immigration Reform Neededâ (April 27, 2022), cronkitenews.azpbs.org
- David Inserra, âDreaming of Amnesty: Legalization Will Spur More Illegal Immigrationâ (October 30, 2017), heritage.org
- Heritage Foundation, âWhat Immigration Reform Should Look Likeâ (accessed June 1, 2022), heritage.org
- Ilona Bray, âConsequences of Unlawful Presence in the U.S.âThreeâ and Ten-Year Time Barsâ (accessed May 31, 2022), nolo.com
- Ilona Bray, âThe Permanent Bar to Immigration for Certain Repeat Violatorsâ (accessed May 31, 2022), nolo.com
- Bryan Baker, âEstimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2015âJanuary 2018â (January 2021), dhs.gov
- Cecilia Esterline and Jeanne Batalova, âRefugees and Asylees in the United Statesâ (May 13, 2021), migrationpolicy.org
- Steven A. Camarota and Karen Zeigler, âEstimating the Illegal Immigrant Population Using the Current Population Surveyâ (March 29, 2022), cis.org
- Diana Roy and Claire Felter, âWhat Is Temporary Protected Status?â (March 28, 2022), cfr.org
- American Immigration Council, âTemporary Protected Status: An Overviewâ (September 30, 2022), americanimmigrationcouncil.org
- Ryan Baugh, "Refugees and Asylees: 2019â (September 2020), dhs.gov
- Michael Howell, âWhy America Has to Avoid Amnestyâ (July 17, 2020), thehill.com
- Alex Nowrasteh and David J. Bier, âThree New Ways for Congress to Legalize Illegal Immigrantsâ (April 10, 2019), cato.org
- Ashley Nunes, âA Path to Legal Status but Not Citizenshipâ (March 31, 2017), nationalreview.com
- White House, âFact Sheet: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families Togetherâ (June 18, 2024), whitehouse.gov
- Ilona Bray, âCan Undocumented Immigrants Get Driversâ Licenses?â (accessed December 4, 2018), lawyers.com
- National Conference of State Legislatures, âStates Offering Driverâs Licenses to Immigrantsâ (October 11, 2022), ncsl.org
- National Immigration Law Center, âCurrent & Pending State Laws & Policies on Driverâs Licenses for Immigrants/February 2014â (February 2014), nilc.org
- National Immigration Law Center, âState Laws Providing Access to Driverâs Licenses or Cards Regardless of Immigration Statusâ (February 2014), nilc.org
- Kirk Semple, âIn Trenton, Issuing IDs for Illegal Immigrantsâ (May 16, 2010), nytimes.com
- Migration Policy Institute, âProfile of the Unauthorized Population: United Statesâ (accessed June 22, 2022), migrationpolicy.org
- Hannah Schoenbaum, âFederal Judge Strikes Down Bidenâs Program Shielding Immigrant Spouses from Deportationâ (November 8, 2024), pbs.org
- Olga R. Rodriguez, âTrumpâs Immigration Crackdown Leaves Some Families Weighing the Risk of Sending Kids to Schoolâ (January 22, 2025), apnews.com
- Department of Homeland Security, âStatement from a DHS Spokesperson on Directives Expanding Law Enforcement and Ending the Abuse of Humanitarian Paroleâ (January 21, 2025), dhs.gov
- Brian Mann, âDemocratic Attorneys General Sue over Trumpâs Order to End Birthright Citizenship,â (January 21, 2025), npr.org
- World Population Review, âCountries with Birthright Citizenship 2024â (accessed January 22, 2025), worldpopulationreview.com
- Miriam Jordan, âAppeals Court Rules Obama-Era Immigration Program Is Unlawfulâ (January 17, 2025), nytimes.com
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, âCBP Enforcement Statisticsâ (January 14, 2025), cbp.gov
- University of Maryland Program for Public Consultation, âThe Swing Six Issue Surveysâ (October 10, 2024), publicconsultation.org
- Migration Policy, âDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Toolsâ (accessed January 22, 2025), migrationpolicy.org
- USCIS, âUSCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicantsâ (January 22, 2025), uscis.gov
- White House, âAddressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africaâ (February 7, 2025), whitehouse.gov
- White House, âFact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ends Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Bordersâ (February 19, 2025), whitehouse.gov
- White House, âDesignating English as the Official Language of the United Statesâ (March 1, 2025), whitehouse.gov
- Jeffrey S. Passel, Jens Manuel Krogstadand, and Mohamad Moslimani, âHow the Origins of Americaâs Immigrants Have Changed Since 1850â (July 22, 2024), pewresearch.org
- Andrew M. Baxter and Alex Nowrasteh, âA Brief History of U.S. Immigration Policy from the Colonial Period to the Present Dayâ (August 3, 2021), cato.org
- Daniel Greene, âWhat Does It Mean to Be a Land of Immigrants?â (accessed May 26, 2025), pbs.org
- Myles Hudson, âWho Was the Woman Behind the Statue of Liberty?â (June 13, 2025), britannica.com
- Nicole Brown Chau, âPolitics Trumpâs Use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 Is Under Scrutinyâ (April 8, 2025), cbsnews.com
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, âStatue of Libertyâ (July 9, 2025), britannica.com
- Hamed Aleaziz, âIllegal Border Crossings Plunge to Lowest Level in Decadesâ (July 2, 2025), nytimes.com
- Jeffrey S. Passel, Jens Manuel Krogstad and Mohamad Moslimani, âHow the Origins of Americaâs Immigrants Have Changed Since 1850â (July 22, 2024), pewresearch.org
- Landerholm Immigration APC, âImmigrants: The Backbone of Americaâs Economy and Societyâ (January 17, 2025), landerholmimmigration.com
- Office of the Assistant Attorney General, âCivil Division Enforcement Prioritiesâ (June 11, 2025), justice.gov
- Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, âPresident Trumpâs New Travel Ban: What You Need to Knowâ (June 9, 2025), americanimmigrationcouncil.org
- Yuning Wu, âChinese Exclusion Actâ (accessed August 30, 2025), britannica.com
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, âMaking America Safe Again,â dhs.gov
- Landerholm Immigration APC, âImmigrants: The Backbone of Americaâs Economy and Societyâ (January 17, 2025), landerholmimmigration.com.
- Donald Trump, âStatement from President Donald J. Trumpâ (Sept. 5, 2017), whitehouse.gov
- Hans A. von Spakovsky, âItâs Time to End DACA â Itâs Unconstitutional Unless Approved by Congressâ (Jan. 23, 2019), foxnews.com
- Elizabeth Murrill, âSymposium: DACA Is Unlawfulâ (Sept. 13, 2019), scotusblog.com.
- Patrick Radden Keefe, The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream, 2009.
- Adam Edelman, âTrump Ends DACA Program, No New Applications Acceptedâ (Sept. 5, 2017) nbcnews.com, Sep. 5, 2017
- Donald Trump (Sept. 5, 2017), twitter.com
- Brett Samuels, âJudge Blocks Trump Move to End DACAâ (Jan. 9, 2018), thehill.com
- Reuters, âAnother Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Ending DACA Programâ (Feb. 13, 2018), nbcnews.com
- Joseph P. Williams, âSupreme Court Doesnât Act on DACA Appealâ (Feb. 20, 2018), usnews.com
- Richard Wolf and Alan Gomez, âSupreme Court Snubs Trump, Keeps DACA Immigration Program in Place for Nowâ (Feb, 26, 2018), usatoday.com
- Pete Wiliams, âIn Blow to Trump, Supreme Court Wonât Hear Appeal of DACA Rulingâ (Feb. 26, 2018), nbcnews.com
- KFF, âKey Facts on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)â (Feb. 11, 2025), kff.org
- Presidentsâ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, âBreakdown of the Dreamer Population: With and Without DACAâ (June 2025), presidentsalliance.org
- Nina Shapiro, âSeattle Judge Wonât Immediately Release âDreamerâ from Detention Centerâ (Feb. 17, 2017), seattletimes.com
- Sabrina Jacobs, âA Majority of Voters Support Continuing DACA and Granting Citizenship to DACA Recipientsâ (Sept. 20, 2023), dataforprogress.org
- Dan Gordon, âNew Survey: Americans Want a Legislative Solution for Dreamersâ (June 10, 2024), immigrationforum.org