Principles for an Immigration Policy to Strengthen and Expand the American Middle Class: 2007 Edition

Before reading the report:

ÿ      Why should we talk about immigration?

ÿ      Should the American middle class care about the debate over immigration reform?

ÿ      How would a change in immigration policy affect an American middle-class family’s life?

ÿ      Do you think immigrant workers and American middle-class workers have anything in common?

ÿ      What role do you think immigrants play in the economy?

ÿ      What do you think American workers think of immigrants?

After reading the report: 

ÿ      Are there any differences between what you thought of the role of immigrants in the economy before and after reading the report?

ÿ      Are there any popular assumptions about immigrants and the labor market that you think are untrue?

ÿ      What do you think the American middle class has at stake in the immigration debate?

ÿ       In what ways do both legal and undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy? What sectors of the economy are highly dependent on immigrant labor?

ÿ      Who benefits from immigrants’ work and economic conditions?

ÿ      Who benefits from current immigration policies?  Who is hurt by these immigration policies?

ÿ      Are there jobs that Americans won’t do? How can we make jobs better?

ÿ      How does a two-tiered labor market undermine the middle class? 

ÿ      Why is it important to secure effective rights in the workplace for undocumented immigrants?

ÿ      What are the barriers to solidarity between immigrants and native middle-class workers?

ÿ      What would an immigration policy look like that would strengthen and expand America’s middle class?

After reading a sample analysis of legislation in the report appendix: 

ÿ      What would this legislation do?

ÿ      Does this piece of legislation match your vision for progressive immigration policy?

ÿ      Why or why not?

Next steps: 

ÿ      How can we get more Americans talking about immigration reform?

ÿ      Are there any ways in which Americans and immigrants could work together to advance a common goal?

ÿ      Who/what frames immigrants as a threat to the economy? Do you see this idea influencing your community? 

ÿ      What would it take to educate the public about the reality?

ÿ      Do you know any other people or groups that would be interested in having this discussion?

ÿ      What can you do in your daily life to implement what you’ve learned?