Course will be held in Washington, DC - exact location TBD
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of U.S. Immigration and Citizenship policy as well as refine their skills as policy analysts. Successful participants will synthesize complex immigration issues succinctly and analyze controversial immigration issues objectively.
Brief Description
This course synthesizes immigration issues as a multi-tiered debate. It opens with a global perspective on the push-pull forces driving international migration. It reviews the historical underpinnings of U.S. immigration law. In turn, it breaks down current U.S. immigration law and policy into key elements: border control and visa security; legal immigration; documentation and verification; interior immigration enforcement; and refugees and other humanitarian populations. It will discuss the President’s executive action: the authorities to do so, past precedents, and constitutional questions. It delineates the debate for a range of issues, including border security, criminal aliens, worksite enforcement, deportation and removal, employment eligibility verification, permanent admissions, temporary workers, legalization, birthright citizenship.
Participants will prepare for each session by reading the materials assigned for the topic. All of the required readings will be available on Canvas. Participants will engage in a discussion of the readings during the sessions.
Grade Allocation
Memo assessing source materials 10%
Memo designing a policy research plan 20%
Memo proposing options and providing pro/con analysis 30%
Final Presentation 30%
Class participation 10%