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First Choice 2004
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First Choice 2004

Create Your Own Choicework: Immigration

Choicework is a useful way to think through public issues, but the approaches we describe aren't the only way to look at this problem. You may have your own ideas, and people often decide they can't totally buy into one approach. So look at the options below and come up with your own way of looking at the problem. Check off all of the actions you think should be taken and add your own ideas.

Check off all of the actions you think should be taken:
Honoring our commitment to newcomers

Maintain legal immigration at current levels.

Ensure that all legal immigrants get the benefits that come with citizenship.

Use amnesty programs and "guest worker" visas to give illegal immigrants who hold down jobs a way to become legal residents.

Continue to be a refuge for individuals who face political oppression in their home countries.

Let people keep their native languages and customs if they choose to do so.

 Cutting back to preserve our security and culture

Tighten visa requirements. Increase funding to improve border security, upgrade computers and hire immigration agents.

Sharply reduce legal immigration, including student and work visas. Accept only as many immigrants as can be checked out by authorities.

Reform bilingual education and require immigrant students to learn English as quickly as possible.

Deport immigrants who commit crimes in the U.S. and pursue illegal immigrants more aggressively.

Cutting back in response to economic realities

Cut the total number of legal immigrants.

Accept immigrants only if they can support themselves here. Favor newcomers who either have useful skills or who are willing to take jobs Americans don’t want.

Require sponsors of legal immigrants to earn substantially more than poverty-level wages.

Grant political asylum only to individuals who can prove that they face persecution.

Are there other actions not listed here that you think should be considered? If so, enter them here:
Additional action:
 Additional action:


 
         

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