Chapter 6: Teaching Immigration in Urban Contexts

Immigration has always been a contested issue in the United States. Yet, as we developed this inquiry, the political tenor related to immigration seems to have reached an all-time low. Within the first few months of taking office, President Trump has issued executive orders to ban travel from some countries, to freeze the U.S. refugee program temporarily, and to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.¹ The Trump administration is also seeking legislative support to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Clearly, given the urgency of this issue, discussing and complexifying immigration should be a high priority in social studies classrooms.