Is It More Important to Show Compassion or Follow the Rule of Law?

This article is from our 9/15/17 newsletter. For the most up to date current events, subscribe here.

For our very first Hot Chocolate and Current Events, we will equip your homeschool family to discuss DACA. 

DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the federal government program that provides work and study permits to young people whose parents brought them to the U.S. illegally. Donald Trump recently decided to discontinue it, stating that is was an unconstitutional use of executive power (the Constitution gives Congress the power to make immigration and naturalization laws). 

First, read this article from BBC News.  
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41267926

Here are some key terms and people from the article:  

border wall: Donald Trump promised to build a wall along the Mexican border when he announced his candidacy for president
DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Created by Barack Obama via executive order. Gave temporary legal status to people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. 
Chuck Schumer: Senate Minority Leader (Democratic Party)
Nancy Pelosi: House Minority Leader (Democratic Party)
amnesty: an official pardon for people who have done something illegal—in this case, entered the country illegally
Dreamers: the term for young people brought to this country illegally

Here are several questions to use in discussion:

Why do you think that President Trump tweeted in August 2015 that Dreamers “have to go,” but then tweeted this past week, “Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated young people who have jobs, some serving in the military?” What explains his apparent change of heart?

What do you think of the proposed border wall? Do you think Trump should use DACA negotiations to get his proposed border wall? Do you think he’ll be successful? 

Do you think Dreamers should be given amnesty? If not, what should happen to Dreamers? 

What are reasons for and against giving undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children permanent residency status? 

Is it more important to obey the rule of law or to show compassion?  

Credit: Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

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