Immigration Policy

This course is intended to give students a general overview of the U.S. immigration system and the vocabulary and context for understanding contemporary immigration issues. We will focus on the historical development of immigration law and policy as a continuing reflection of societal values and judgements.  We will review the general framework regarding how people can come to the United States and why they may be forced to leave. The class will also have a special focus on refugee migration and its relationship to local public policy, issues along the southern U.S. border, the current political landscape involving immigration and immigration reform, and how to write and present an informational memorandum and recommendations to a decision-maker involving an immigration public policy issue.