Big Picture

1. What do you think of the Emma Lazarus poem?
   • Should American immigration policies be based on its ideas?
   • Is it dated?
   • Can the United States still serve as a refuge for the tired, poor, and homeless?
2. What do you think of the Thomas Bailey Aldrich poem?
   • Should American immigration policies be based on its ideas?
   • How would you characterize the poem’s ideas?
     • Racist?
     • Realistic?
     • Far-sighted?
     • Short-sighted?
3. Should immigration be restricted?
4. Why can’t America have a completely open border?
5. Are there legitimate grounds for denying persons or groups of persons admission to the United States?
   • Race? Poverty? Gender? Economic conditions?
6. Should America’s immigration criteria favor the most or least skilled?
   • The most or least needy?
7. Should America’s immigration policies aim to strengthen America? 
   • i.e., add to its skilled workforce?
8. Or should they aim to provide opportunities to those most in need?