Question 1) The U.S. ended the importation of Mexican farmworkers under the Bracero Program in 1964 effectively termination Miguel's livelihood, is he justified in returning illegally for work? Did the U.S. have an obligation to the Mexican workers?
Question 2) American farmworker Ohscar Romero gives Miguel a cup of coffee from his thermos, but realizing that the line jumper could take his job encourages him to look elsewhere for work. In 1965, it was not illegal for a farmer to employ an illegal immigrant, but should Ohscar have expected that his job would be protected? How?
Question 3) Under a star-filled sky, Border Patrol Inspector Bill Garner's supervisor, Zeno Smith, counsels the self-doubting young officer to perform his duty pursuing Mexican illegal border crossers "with as much compassion as the next guy and go on with your life." Is this a job that you could do? As a nation, how should we view enforcement of our immigration laws?
Question 4) In talking with his wife Laura about the availability of local workers to harvest their sugar beets, Pinchney says: "... we've got this Mexican fellow, Meegwell. We don't have to worry about whether his wife is sick and he has to take of her or whether his house has water or whether his kids got to have shoes. And it looks like there are going to be a lot more Meegwells around soon enough. Maybe that's going to be the solution." For most of the past 45 years, agricultural employers have relied on a largely illegal workforce insulating themselves from responsibility to workers by relying on labor contractors. Pending immigration reform bills will allow growers to import guest workers by simply attesting that no US workers are available. Should that be allowed?
Question 5) Why does a nation of immigrants have such difficulty coming to grips with illegal immigration?
Question 6) Maria Elena’s mother perishes attempting to cross the border, and her father wants to send the child to be raised by her grandparents in Mexico. Janice, who has taught Maria Elena in her elementary school class, spots the child’s precociousness and seeks a way to keep her in school in California. Father Jaime sides with the father. Whose side would you take?
Question 2) American farmworker Ohscar Romero gives Miguel a cup of coffee from his thermos, but realizing that the line jumper could take his job encourages him to look elsewhere for work. In 1965, it was not illegal for a farmer to employ an illegal immigrant, but should Ohscar have expected that his job would be protected? How?
Question 3) Under a star-filled sky, Border Patrol Inspector Bill Garner's supervisor, Zeno Smith, counsels the self-doubting young officer to perform his duty pursuing Mexican illegal border crossers "with as much compassion as the next guy and go on with your life." Is this a job that you could do? As a nation, how should we view enforcement of our immigration laws?
Question 4) In talking with his wife Laura about the availability of local workers to harvest their sugar beets, Pinchney says: "... we've got this Mexican fellow, Meegwell. We don't have to worry about whether his wife is sick and he has to take of her or whether his house has water or whether his kids got to have shoes. And it looks like there are going to be a lot more Meegwells around soon enough. Maybe that's going to be the solution." For most of the past 45 years, agricultural employers have relied on a largely illegal workforce insulating themselves from responsibility to workers by relying on labor contractors. Pending immigration reform bills will allow growers to import guest workers by simply attesting that no US workers are available. Should that be allowed?
Question 5) Why does a nation of immigrants have such difficulty coming to grips with illegal immigration?
Question 6) Maria Elena’s mother perishes attempting to cross the border, and her father wants to send the child to be raised by her grandparents in Mexico. Janice, who has taught Maria Elena in her elementary school class, spots the child’s precociousness and seeks a way to keep her in school in California. Father Jaime sides with the father. Whose side would you take?
