Senate bill would transform U.S. immigration

Publish date: 2024-08-14

Update! After this lesson was published, the immigration and foreign aid bill was blocked in the Senate.

Be sure to watch this video What’s next for border policy, Ukraine aid after Senate Republicans block bipartisan bill (Feb. 7, 2024) and stay tuned to NewsHour Classroom for more updates.

SUMMARY

The most significant immigration reform proposal in a generation is now in the hands of the Senate. The bipartisan deal would tighten asylum rules and allow for partial border shutdowns while increasing enforcement and opening some new avenues for legal migration. The measure would also offer billions in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports.

For a transcript of this story, click here.

News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM UP QUESTIONS

What are some of the ways the bill would change immigration in the U.S.?

Where (which countries) would receive military aid in the bill?

Who has been negotiating the bill?

Why do many Republicans say they won't support the bill?

How does the bill change the U.S. asylum system? (Asylum = legal resident status granted to an individuals who face risks in their home countries.)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

Why do you think so many Republicans have come out against the immigration bill despite bipartisan (both parties) negotiations that led to its creation? What strategy do you think the Republicans have in mind?

Media literacy: How would you find out more about the challenges or problems this bill is written to address?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

FOR MORE

What students can do: Learn more — what is actually in the bill? Read the following article and then discuss:

What in this bill would be change U.S. policy the most?
What is unclear or confusing in this summary?
If you could make one change to the bill, what would it be?

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