What portion of Americans think that an undocumented immigrant who came here as a five-year-old (Dreamer) should be allowed to stay in the US?
How accurate was your prediction?
What most surprised you about this data?
What is the big story this data tells?
Why do you think so many Americans support Dreamers?
What do you think is the main argument of the 11% of Americans who oppose Dreamers being allowed to stay in the US through DACA?
Describe the demographic profile of what you think this 11% looks like.
Do you imagine that most of this 11% of people actually know any Dreamers?
What will be two consequences of the dismantling of DACA and the end of the Dreamers dream?
How will this personally effect Dreamers?
Explain your personal opinion on this issue:
If almost 90% of Americans want Dreamers to stay, explain why Trump just dismantled DACA - the program that allows them to stay.
Can you think of any other issue in America where the President so clearly goes against public opinion?
What do you think is the main motivation of someone like Jeffrey Beauregard Sessions, the Trump Attorney General, who gave a press conference detailing the destruction of DACA?
How do you explain why President Trump has so often flip-flopped on Dreamers, one day saying he has a lot of heart for these incredible kids, the next ending DACA, then the next day saying that he will revisit his decision and that these kids don't need to worry?
Considering that the White population is shrinking as a proportion of the US population, do you think that opposing DACA and the Dreamers is an effective political strategy?
What specific presidential powers and executive abilities allow President Trump to suspend DACA?
And what specific presidential and administrative powers allowed President Obama to create DACA in the first place?
What specific powers could the US Congress use to counteract the dismantling of DACA?
A portion of the poem, The New Colossus, by Emma Lazarus adorns a plaque on the base of the Statue of Liberty. In the comments section below, rewrite this excerpt of Lazarus' poem at a 140 character tweet from Donald J. Trump:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
How do you think people of the following demographic profiles would generally feel about Dreamers:
Unemployed White construction worker from rural Tennessee
Hispanic attorney from Los Angeles
Out of work Mine worker in West Virginia
17-year-old high school student in Camden, New Jersey
President Trump in his policy
President Trump in his personal feelings
Klan member from rural Virginia
Democratic caucus member representing Chicago, Illinois
Learning Extension
Learn more about this important issue with our Dreamer lesson!
Action Extension
Contact Federal Elected Officials and share your opinion on DACA and Dreamers!
President Donald Trump - Contact the President of the United States by filling out the online contact form or by calling the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414 or the comments line at 202-456-1111 during business hours.
Members of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Senators - Get contact information for your Senators in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Representatives - Find the website and contact information for your Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Or Contact Congress by Telephone
You may phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate or House office you request. Tell them I said hi.