Topic

United States Immigration Process

Objective
The objective of this interview and the associated activity is for students to learn
more about the United States immigration process through primary sources as well
as the real life story of an English/German immigrant.
Definitions
Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape
war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Asylee: An alien in the United States or at a port of entry who is found to be unable
or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality, or to seek the protection of
that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution.
Alien: belonging to a foreign country or nation.
Immigrant: a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
Green card: A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been
granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.
As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly
called a "Green Card." You can become a permanent resident several different ways.
Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United
States. Other individuals may become permanent residents through refugee or
asylee status or other humanitarian programs
Visas: Foreign travelers to the United States for short visits, for example tourism,
vacation, visiting family and friends, or medical treatment, need visitor visas unless
they qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program
Reading
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/how_us_immig_sy
stem_works.pdf
Interview
Discussion
BEFORE watching the interview

1. Before reading this article and watching the interview, what were your
preconceived ideas about what an immigrant is, and about the immigration
process in the United States?
2. What did you learn from the article and the interview about the
immigration process?
3. TRUE OR FALSE In 2013 the President set the refugee ceiling to
70,000 people.
4. TRUE OR FALSE The Diversity lottery Visa Program was originally
favor immigrants from Ireland.
5. TRUE OR FALSE There are 500,000 family-based visas available every
year.
6. Imagine you are an immigrant in the United States, with no money and
the inability to speak English. What barriers would you encounter during the
immigration process?
7. How many types of visas are there for temporary nonimmigrant
workers?
8. What is the set rate for permanent employment-based immigration?
9. No single country can exceed ____% of the total amount of people
immigrating to the United States.
10.From question 9: why is it set to that percentage? What is the United
States trying to avoid?
AFTER watching the interview
11.How did you notice the immigration process differs in the European
Union between different countries and then from other countries into the
United States?
12.Based on what you have learned, what are your opinions of the
immigration process in the United States? What areas do you believe could
use reform? For instance how could it be more accessible to people who dont
speak English or even how it could be more fair so that people who arent rich
could afford this process?
13.After watching the interview do you believe that the United States
immigration system is actually fair?
14. After reading the article and watching the interview what are your
thoughts on immigrants trying to get a citizenship through marriage? Is it an
invasion on privacy and is it really necessary?