GEOG102 World Regional Geography
CTA #2 Essay Topic: Bordering on Mexico
What are the two opposing arguments for and against building a border wall between the United States and Mexico? We all heard the rhetoric used by Donald Trump when he was campaigning for president – campaign speeches or his Twitter broadcasts. But were his statements true? Were they supported by facts? Here are a few quotes from Trump:
“We have people coming into the country or trying to come in, we’re stopping a lot of them, but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are,” Trump said. These aren’t people. These are animals. Gregory Korte and Alan Gomez, USA TODAY Published 6:13p.m. ET May 16, 2018 | Updated 10:03 a.m. ET May 17, 2018
On Mexican immigrants: “They’re bringing drugs, crime and are rapists.” Trump Tower Atrium in Manhattan on June 16, 2015
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” Newsday.com staff Updated November 9, 2016, 2:48 AM
GEOG102 World Regional Geography
“We have no country if we have no border,” Trump said during the third presidential debate on Oct. 19, 2016, reiterating his desire to build a wall. “We have some bad hombres here and we’re gonna get ’em out.”
Responding to criticism of a policy that has led to more than 2,000 children being separated from their parents at the border, Trump tweeted that Democrats were to blame: “They don’t care about crime and want illegal immigrants, no matter how bad they may be, to pour into and infest our country, like MS-13,” he wrote, referencing a violent criminal gang based in Central America. Trump tweet June 19, 2018.
Instructions
Write at least a 300-word essay (minimum) which fully answers the questions below. Your word count does not include your essay title or your references. Be sure to re-visit the first CTA assignment and use the same process and instructions to work through this current CTA. You should also refer to the CTA grading rubric. Remember to include in-text citations (using page numbers from your e-text), essay title, and reference section.
Your SafeAssign similarity score should be no more than 12%.
USE ONLY THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES TO EVALUATE the credibility!! It should be clear in your response that you have used these articles as your primary sources (attached to the assignment).
National Immigration Forum Fact Sheet (refer to attachment)
Weighing the Pros and Cons of US Border Wall (Refer to attachment)
History of the US Mexico Border (Refer to attachment)
GEOG102 World Regional Geography
Questions to consider:
Be sure to eliminate any political, social, or personal opinions until you write your closing paragraph.
- What are the pros and cons of border enforcement between the U.S. and Mexico?
- Who should pay for the border? Why?
- Is it a problem that people are able to cross the US border illegally? Why or why not?
- Is there evidence to suggest that these immigrants are violent criminals?
- Does illegal immigration strain public services?
- Are stronger border enforcement measures needed?
- Should illegal immigrants be given a path to citizenship?
- Is it ethical, necessary, and/or legal to separate families at the border? Why or why not?
Finish your essay by answering these questions:
- Do you believe that physical barriers are the best way to keep undocumented immigrants from entering the US? Why or why not?
- Does the US, as a major world power, have an ethical, moral, and/or legal responsibility for those who want to immigrate to this country?
- If it were your decision, how would you control the nation’s borders?