ENGL 110
Section 2 – Research Exercise
Completing this exercise will provide you with much of the content for Section 2. It won’t be quite as easy as cutting and pasting this into your essay, but you should end up with 1) the majority of your paragraphs roughly developed and 2) a sense of who offers more convincing support for their position.
To complete this, list 3-4 major reasons why Side 1 and Side 2 believe what they do (think about what follows “because” – Side 1 believes [x] because …). Then, look at the evidence which they cite to support those reasons. Finally, answer the questions about what type of support / how much support in general each side offers.
Example: Many people believe that Dreamers should be given a pathway to legal citizenship BECAUSE
Reason 1: they have few options of obtaining citizenship under through the usual means: an employment-based visa, a family-based visa, or seeking asylum / refugee status.
Evidence for Reason 1:
● These methods are highly regulated and subject to caps, including per-country quotas
● They are often costly, requiring the services of an immigration attorney
● The typical wait is 1 – 2 decades
Source(s): “Why Just Becoming a Citizen Isn’t an Option for Dreamers” https://thelibreinitiative.com/why-just-becoming-citizen-isnt-option-dreamers/
PART 1
Side 1 believes: They feel that to prevent deportation, the dreamers must obtain lawful permanent residence, which is a difficult alternative given the numerous roadblocks.
BECAUSE:
Reason 1:There are three ways to become a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) in America: employment, family, or refugee status.
Evidence 1: Each of these solutions is highly regulated and subject to caps and other requirements, including per-country quotas.
Evidence 2: The tables below show allocations in order of stated priority dates for demand received by January 11th. If not every demand was met, the category or foreign state was termed oversubscribed. Finally, the first candidate who could not be reached within the numerical constraints has priority. If an annual limit is reached, the preference category must be deemed “unavailable,” and no future requests for numbers will be honored.
Source: “Visa Bulletin for February 2018” https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-february-2018.html
Reason 2: Even if someone does qualify, the waiting period could be lengthy. It is not uncommon for the typical wait to take one or two decades before being able to immigrate to America.
Evidence 1: President Trump has stated that ending “chain migration” is a must in any immigration deal. This week, the Senate rejected his plan. But before debating the best chain migration strategy, people must first comprehend the debate. Many fallacies surround the concept, which is already divisive.
Evidence 2: “The only option is a complete shutdown, an immigration moratorium. We won’t be taking part in any marriages or family reunifications for at least ten years. Just shut it down, integrate the existing population, and erect the fence. Then we’ll start over with new rules.”
Source: “Five Myths About Chain Migration.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/five-myths-about-chain-migration/2018/02/14/42d35276-1009-11e8-8ea1-c1d91fcec3fe_story.html
Reason 3: They’re also not easy to qualify for, and the process can become quite costly as hiring an immigration attorney to help guide you through the bureaucratic process is often a common practice.
Evidence 1: Results from Tom K. Wong1 et al., 2017 National DACA Study
Evidence 2: Since Congress has failed to pass a solution, Dreamers cannot pursue any of the three legal options unless they return to their native country for ten years.
Source: “Why Just Becoming a Citizen Isn’t an Option for Dreamers.” https://thelibreinitiative.com/why-just-becoming-citizen-isnt-option-dreamers/
Side 2 believes: the only alternative available to the dreamers is for Congress to approve legislation that will give a long-term solution to their predicament and prevent them from being deported. BECAUSE:
Reason 1: The White House has communicated a planned strategy that includes the time it would take to obtain a green card and the five years to have a green card to apply for citizenship.
Evidence 1: The House of Representatives demonstrates strong support for moving its legislation, with several proposals already drafted.
Evidence 2: More than 90 percent of Americans believe that it is critical to implement legislation to protect Dreamers.
Source: “Why Just Becoming a Citizen Isn’t an Option for Dreamers.” https://thelibreinitiative.com/why-just-becoming-citizen-isnt-option-dreamers/
Reason 2: It is time for a bipartisan Dreamer Agreement.
Evidence 1: “I’m urging you to work with your colleagues across the aisle on a permanent solution for Dreamers and DACA recipients….’’
Evidence 2: The best way to ensure Dreamers receive certainty is by bypassing a true, bipartisan solution. You must work with your congressional colleagues to develop a deal that will provide certainty for Dreamers and border security. These individuals, and their 329,600 children, are depending on it.
Source: “Time for a Bipartisan Dreamer Deal.” https://thelibreinitiative.ivolunteers.com/ContactOfficials/Time-for-a-Bipartisan-Dreamer-Deal
Reason 3: The LIBRE Initiative and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce unveiled a national broadcast, cable, and targeted digital ad campaign urging bipartisan congressional leaders to act on a lasting solution on behalf of the Dreamers.
Evidence: This campaign seeks to break the partisan gridlock and challenge lawmakers in both parties to come together to achieve these common goals, i.e., a permanent solution for Dreamers and a more secure border.
Evidence: Earlier this year, it was that a proposal was offered during consideration of the omnibus appropriations bill that included a permanent solution for Dreamers and $25 billion in border security.
Source: “Libre, Freedom Partners, launch seven-figure campaign to achieve a permanent solution for dreamers.” https://seminarnetwork.org/the-libre-initiative-and-freedom-partners-launch-ad-calling-for-a-permanent-solution-for-dreamers/
PART 2
1. What types of evidence were provided by Side 1?
☐ facts
☐ statistics
☐ expert opinion / testimony
☐ scientific / government study
☐ case study / anecdote
☐ other
Answer: case study/anecdote and other were provided by side 1.
2. What was the most common type of evidence provided by Side 1?
Side 1 provided evidence of two types, which are the case study and other sources(myths).
3. What types of evidence were provided by Side 2?
☐ facts
☐ statistics
☐ expert opinion / testimony
☐ scientific / government study
☐ case study / anecdote
☐ other
Answer: Expert opinion/ testimony, and case study/ anecdote were provided by side 2.
4. What was the most common type of evidence provided by Side 2?
The most common evidence used by side two includes reports and from recent surveys conducted.
5. Based on the type and amount of evidence provided, which side makes the most convincing argument? (Remember, this may or may not be the side you agree with – keep an open mind and go where the evidence leads you.)
Side 2 provides the most convincing argument, which is accompanied by a wide range of evidence compared to side one, which consists of little evidence.
