Lesson Title: The Illegal Migration of Central American Children into the U.S
Lesson Type: Current Event Lesson
NCSS Themes: (multiple)
- Time, Continuity, Change: This theme will be incorporated in the lesson for students to understand the history of Central American countries. Even decades after their independence, many Central and South American countries continue to suffer from political, social and economic crisis. Students will also be told what changes have been taken to stop the entry of illegal immigrants into the U.S.
- Individuals, Groups, and Institutions: This theme will also include the plight of individuals and groups from hostile environments in their respective countries. Students will also see how the breakup of groups and institutions has led to an exodus that is threatening American economy.
- Power, Authority, and Governance: This theme will show why the power of American border patrols finds it difficult to control illegal immigration. The theme will also focus on the role of the Mexican police authorities in illegal immigration. The role of the government to prevent illegal border crossing will also be discussed.
Immigration and Nationality Standards:
8 U.S. Code Chapter 12: Demonstrates the government’s view on immigration and nationality issues
28 U.S.C. § 1251: Demonstrates the States limited legislative authority regarding immigration and full extent of state jurisdiction
28 U.S.C. § 994: Demonstrates the details of the federal sentencing guidelines for illegal entry into the country.
Sub-Chapters General provisions, Sections 1101 – 1107; 1151 - 1537
§§ 1101–1107: Demonstrates the general provisions for permission to enter the country
§§ 1151–1381: Demonstrates the immigration process and statutes
§§ 1401–1504: Shows the nationality and Naturalization processes and details
§§ 1521–1525: Describes the law for applying for refugee assistance
§§ 1531–1537: Pertains to laws that subscribe to alien and terrorists removal
Common Core State Standards:
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA): Also known as the McCarran-Walter Act eliminates all race-based quotas with nationality-based quotas.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996: Determines the process of alien entry into the United States. The term ‘entry,’ is replaced with the term ‘admission’ for a legal entry into the country.
Objectives:
- Use primary sources to understand the reasons for the illegal immigration of children to the United States. [Comprehension]
- Use primary sources to defend their arguments. [Application]
- Define key terms: grievances, independence, individual rights, common law, and consent of the governed.[Knowledge/Comprehension]
- Analyze key concepts in primary sources and examine the message being conveyed. [Analysis]
Materials/Equipment
Paper:
- Copies of excerpts from articles on “Illegal immigration”
- Copies of the maps of Central and South America
Promethean Board:
- Clip of El Salvadorians trying to cross over to the U.S without papers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KvG8BwhSUs
- PowerPoint
- Text Book
- Computer/Tablets
Procedures:
Bell-ringer: Students will answer questions such as, what is the capital of Guatemala, between January 1 and May 14, 2014, about how many kids from that city were detained at the U.S border, which countries border El Salvador, in which direction would you travel to get from Managua, Nicaragua, to San Marcos, Guatemala and so on.
- As students prepare to answer these questions and more, prepare the speech on the problem of illegal immigrants in the United States.
Hook:
- The students will be asked to note where most of the illegal immigrants are coming from.
- After the movie the class will discuss which countries were in the scene and what they are fighting for.
Lesson: The discussion will transition from the difficulties in attempting to enter the United States illegally to the problems they will face, should they successfully enter the United States without being caught by border patrols. They will also get involved in speaking why so much children are risking their lives to cross over to the United States without proper travel documents.
- Main Activity One: Define key terms on a sheet of paper.
- Main activity Two: Primary Sources will be introduced:
Explanation of the use of primary sources- Students will learn how to read and understand primary sources. They will also learn the importance of referring to these documents in order to understand the mind frame of the founding fathers.
- Conclusion:
Modifications
The perils of illegal immigration can be understood better if the analysis of the economic constraints the government has on handling so many illegal immigrants in the country is studied. Also, students should be exposed to videos that show the social and cultural background of people in different parts of the world to enhance a student’s knowledge base.
ELL Strategies: One way to serve ELL students better would be to introduce videos that are self-explanatory and easy to understand. The second method would be to introduce a second language, preferably the native language of the majority of students of ELL.
Language Outcomes: Including words like ‘illegal’, ‘prosecution’, and ‘unauthorized entry’, would help ELL students learn the issue better.
Technology:
In order to access YouTube videos, the internet was used. For those students who don’t have access to a computer and internet at home, they could spend some more time in the computer lab and understand the subject in detail. The teacher and students use the technology.
When students are able to answer the questions that are put across to them, it is obvious that they have understood the assignment, and its objective. Students should ask questions while the presentation is going on to show that they are deeply involved in the topic and understand what is being told to them.
MIVCA (Explain how these apply need to have more than one for each lesson – ideally all of them)
Meaningful: This lesson is very meaningful as it clearly shows the problems children and adults have in trying to make a decent living.
Integrative: This lesson is integrative as it incorporates the use of PowerPoint and tablets to engage the students in the
Values-Based: This lesson is values based as it asks students to consider a controversial topic that is currently in the news.
Challenging: It is challenging because it involves the disclosure of certain sensitive issues that is of national interest and concern
Active: The lesson is active because it continues to draw controversies regarding the deportation of certain sections of people who might have to face problems in their native country, if deported.
Appendix A
Risking it all - Across Mexico: Chasing an impossible dream, retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KvG8BwhSUs
This 25 minute video traces the attempt of a couple who runs away from their poverty-stricken country of El Salvador to cross over to the U.S. The video is a fine example of how illegal immigrants try and reach the U.S-Mexican border and then, under the cover of night, wade through a dangerous river to live the American Dream.
Legal Information Institute (LII), (2014), Immigration, retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/immigration
This site states the various Federal immigration laws that determine whether a person is an alien, has the rights, are bound by duties and obligations associated with being an alien in the United States. It also gives a comprehensive view on how aliens can gain residence or citizenship within the United States.
Appendix B
Ross, Brook, (2014), All Alone, Junior Scholastic, Magazine, p.7-9
In discussing the story of young Brian, who at 16 years, made the perilous journey from Guatemala to Mexico in his attempt to enter the U.S, the article illustrated the cause for such an exodus from his native country. The article talks about the growing number of illegal immigrants into the United States and what immigration authorities are doing to deport them. The article also talks about how the Obama administration is trying various methods to either deport or accommodate them in the country is also covered.
