Making Your Opinion Count: Influencing Immigration Policy

While studying the three branches of government and the legislative process, students will use the current debate in Congress over changes in immigration policy to explore ways they can influence the decisions that are made.  Students will research the various sides to the issue of immigration.  They will look at a variety of methods for influencing members of Congress, including phone calls to Congressional offices, e-mailing representatives, and writing letters.  After formulating an opinion on the issue of immigration, students will write a letter to a member of the Congress in which they express their opinion on the issue and urge the legislator to take a particular action.