NOTE TO STUDENTS: This is not an issue of LEGAL immigration. Americans welcome immigrants who come here legally. The issue is ILLEGAL immigration, which is a controversial topic. Remember that most of the people who come here do so to have the opportunity for a better life and the freedom to make it happen. This is not an issue of being “unkind,” but an issue of enforcing the law. Also, in this age of terrorism, it is crucial that we know who is coming into the U.S., and for what purpose. The large number of violent drug cartels and human traffickers operating on our southern border is also of great concern. It is important to secure our borders. Those who enforce U.S. laws should not be accused of being unkind – they are being responsible. Those who want all who come to be allowed in believe that is the compassionate thing to do. Speak courteously to one another on this topic.

1. What new trend in illegal crossings into the U.S. did CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan warn about in December? Be specific.

2. List the locations/numbers/country of origin of the people who recently came by bus to the southern border as described in this article.

3. a) How far is it approximately from Guatemala City, Guatemala to the U.S. border in Arizona?
b) What isn’t known about the migrants who were dropped off on the Mexico-Arizona border and walked across on Thursday?

4. a) How many of last week’s group of 242 people were children?
b) How many of the children were traveling without a legal guardian?
c) Why is it so dangerous to send children alone?

5. What additional problems must Border Patrol address with huge groups of families (men, women and children) illegally crossing into the U.S.? (see para. 13-19, 21, 24)

6. a) By how much has the number of family apprehensions increased in 2019 compared to the same period in 2018?
b) List the populations of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
c) What is the population of the U.S.? How many people from other countries do you think the U.S. can reasonably absorb per year (from these 3 countries and other countries)? (schools, housing, hospitals, medical care, law enforcement, government assistance…)

7. Even before President Trump said we need to build a wall on the border to prevent people crossing into the U.S. illegally, Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama said the same. Hatred for Trump prevents many Democratic politicians and many in the media from agreeing with him now.
a) Write the text of Article 4 Section 4 of the Constitution.
b) Who is the president and Congress’ first responsibility to, according to the Constitution?
c) What reasons do Democrats give for opposing a border wall? What reasons do conservatives give for wanting to secure our borders with a wall?