Sadie Cain - Immigration Today

US History- Vinson
Unit Two
Immigration Today
Before we begin this assignment, we’re going to watch this video:
US Immigrants Bust Myths About Immigration | Truth or Myth
It’s from the National Academy of Science’s “The Science Behind It” website linked below. You may want this
link later in the assignment.
How does immigration affect the US economy?
1. What is your reaction to the video? What parts did you feel strongly about (in terms of agreeing or disagreeing with
what was said)?
I thought that the video was very compelling and eye opening to hear the perspective of immigrants and how they
feel about typical stereotypes and myths. A part of the video that I felt strongly about was the myth that immigrants
bring violence to America because that definitely is not true and a very harmful stereotype.
2. Are there problems associated with immigration brought up in the video that you agree with? Explain AND tell me
what the government should do about it:
I think a problem brought up in the video was in relation to immigrants harming the economy and I think this could
be a problem if some immigrants refuse to pay taxes. I think that the government should do a better job with
regulating who gets to come into the country and make sure that they are people who will pay taxes. .
In order to take an educated look at immigration as a social/political issue, we need to understand how the system works. For the
next few questions check out the American Immigration Council’s website HERE.
3. How many people are allowed to legally immigrate to the United States each year? Heads-up: the answer is not that
simple!
Each year the INA grants the U.S to allow 675,000 visas, and the INA sets no limit on the annual admission of U.S.
citizens’ spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21. In addition, the president is required to discuss with Congress
and set a number of refugees allowed per year through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
4. What is an LPR? In what way is this status related to the naturalization process?
LPR stands for Lawful Permanent Resident, which a person becomes when they obtain an immigrant visa in the
United States. This status is related to the naturalization process because once they reside for 5 years in the U.S,
LPRs are able to apply for U.S citizenship.
5. When it comes to permanent immigration, what kinds of people get preference? List at least three (3) factors that give
an immigrant a better chance of being admitted and explain why you think that is:
● If they have a family member that resides in America → I think this is a preference because the person has
a connection in america
● If they have a work Visa → I think this is a preference because it shows that the person is hardworking
● Refugees that can't return to their home country → I think this is a preference because they are not allowed
to go back if they wanted to
6. Read the section titled “Refugees and Asylees” (and maybe look up asylee?). What was the numerical ceiling for 2020?
What is it for 2021, and why do you think the numbers are so different?
The numerical ceiling for 2020 was at an all-time low of 18,000. For 2021, the ceiling was set at 15,000 by the
Trump Administration but raised to 62,500 by the Biden administration. I think the numbers are so different due to
the difference in political parties and views between the two presidents.
7. What are the basic requirements that must be met in order for one to apply for US citizenship?
In order to qualify for U.S citizenship, the requirements are: Having an LPR for at least five years, be at least 18 years
old, demonstrate continuous residency, pass english and U.S history exams, and pay an application fee.
Now let’s take a look at some statistics. Go to the Department of Homeland Security’s website HERE and then follow the directions
for #8:
8. Take a look at Table 21. Persons Naturalized by Country of Birth: Fiscal Years 2017 to 2019.
● Pick five (5) countries with high numbers of naturalized immigrants.
● On the blank map provided, draw an arrow from that country to the US, along with the number of new
citizens from that country.
● Do a little web sleuthing and see if you can find out why so many people come here from each country. In the
margins of the map, create a text box for each country and tell me what you find out.

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US History- Vinson

How does immigration affect the US economy?

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