Writing a Way Into Multiple Perspectives

Agenda 1. What is Executive Action? 2. Examining Multiple Perspectives 3. Writing a Way In 4. Debrief + Q&A

President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration Just What Exactly is It? executive action = any action that a president does in order to clarify or enforce a law including, and not limited to, memorandums, statements of policy, and regulations

Now I get it… reactions to executive action Response to Executive Action Let’s Celebrate! Meh…Anger Video

EXECUTIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION Three Specific Actions: 1. provide additional resources for law enforcement at the border 2. make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to the economy 3. deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants* *This is primarily the expansion of deferred action, which is a kind of quasi-legal status given when an immigration official communicates to an undocumented person that he or she is not a priority for deportation. Deferred action provides temporary protection from deportation and the ability to apply for a work permit.

What is DACA and DAPA? DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): Immigrants who entered the US before January 1st, 2010, and who entered the US before they turned 16 (and who meet other requirements) are eligible for DACA. The program began in 2012 to protect young unauthorized immigrants who would have been eligible for the DREAM Act. An estimated 1.2 million qualify. DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans): Immigrants who entered the US before January 1st, 2010, and who have at least one child who's a US citizen or green-card holder, may be eligible for deferred action under a new program. An estimated 4 million immigrants could be eligible. The original DACA program initiated in 2012 is still in effect and is not being challenged by the courts.

Before the 5 th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the federal government’s request for an emergency stay of the preliminary injunction. Expanded DACA and DAPA are on hold. The Supreme Court will decide their fate. Current DACA in effect Total proposed protected under the executive action

Let’s Look At The People Affected…

Writing A Way In With Monologues Each strip of paper contains a quote taken from the media that shows how an individual responded to the November executive action, but it’s only a small piece of the story. Your job is to fill in the details. Tell a story from the perspective of the individual on your paper. The only “rule” is that you must include a phrase or a sentence from your quote in your writing. The goal is simply to get a better understanding of how one person is affected by this executive action. Tips: Don’t worry about being “correct”. Consider it a fictional account. Just write.

Share Your Stories

The Power of Storytelling: From Policy to People What did you learn from this writing exercise? How did it feel to listen others tell their story? What is powerful about telling stories about immigration?

Websites: Community Education Center (for book/film reviews, contests, & more) American Immigration Council (for law and policy news and information) Blog: Immigration In and Out of the Classroom (for immigration and education news and information) Contact Us: