Civics

Thematic Thread Across U.S. History - Article

Immigration and Citizenship

iCivics

Summary: Two alternative approaches to considering United States immigration policy over its history. The iCivics lesson engages students with multiple online resources to explore the idea of “coming to America.” They peek at the history of immigration, learn some reasons why people migrate and what attracts them to America, and look at the naturalization process. Students try their hand at the civics part of the naturalization test and hear what U.S. citizenship means to some brand new citizens. Students will be able to examine reasons people migrate from their home nations and come to the United States; explore the requirements for legal residence, including the distinction between legal residents , visitors, and undocumented immigrants; and describe the naturalization process and the value many immigrants place on U.S. citizenship. The Conflict Resolution lesson focuses more on the changes in U.S. immigration policies, their origins and the impact of these policies. It concludes by asking students to develop a proposal for U.S. immigration and citizenship.

Overarching Questions:

  • CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
  • CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?

NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:

  • 6.1.12.CivicsDP.5.a: Analyze the effectiveness of governmental policies and of actions by groups and individuals to address discrimination against new immigrants, Native Americans, and African Americans.
  • 6.1.12.CivicsHR.8.a: Analyze primary and secondary sources to explain how social intolerance, xenophobia, and fear of anarchism led to restrictive immigration and refugee laws, and the violation of the human rights of individuals and groups.
  • 6.1.12.HistoryUP.5.a: Using primary sources, relate varying immigrants’ experiences to gender, race, ethnicity, or occupation.

Links for Lesson: Immigration and Citizenship WebQuest | iCivics

Immigration Restrictions and the National origins Act of 1924 (COMING SOON)

 

Immigration Policy and its impact on New Jersey (1840s-today)

  • Link for Lesson: Immigration Policy and its Impact on New Jersey (1840s-today)