Date: Tuesday, October 10, and Thursday, October 12, 2006
Times: See time slots for videoconferences below
Grades: 8- 12
Topics: Current Events, Social Studies, World Issues
Cost (2 videoconferences):  non members - $240 | members - $180

Political freedom, religious tolerance, and economic opportunity are but some of the reasons people from around the world immigrate to the United States. Ever since this country was created, millions of people have come to see it as the "Land of Opportunity".

Today, new US immigration policies are being debated to address and resolve the issues of illegal workers, border patrol, and security.

Tuesday, October 10: In the first part of this videoconferencing series, students had the opportunity to address the often-divisive immigration debate, consider the American experience from the perspectives of both citizen and immigrant, and suggest their own view of what American immigration policy should look like. For this discussion, participants paired with up to 3 other schools within the US. The videoconference was moderated by David Macquart, co-founder of the Global Nomads Group.

Thursday, October 12: This follow-up conference enabled students to speak directly with Thomas Shea, a lawyer from the New York Immigration Coalition, who shared his point of view and answered students' questions directly. The conversation covered the process of immigrating to the US as a refugee, getting a green card, the wall they want to build on the US Mexico boarder, over population and deportation. Tom brought up a really great point about the wall. He said that building a wall will not necessarily deter people from trying to get in illegally but could prevent people who are here illegally from going back.

Back to List of Current Programs