Essay and Discussion Questions from Migration

Migration High School Questions

Help students understand how migration influences the world’s economies, cultures, and politics through these essay and discussion questions.

Introduction

  1. What is the difference between an economic migrant and a refugee? In what ways is the distinction blurry?  
  2. Who benefits from emigration and a reliance on remittances in the Philippines? Who is hurt by it? 
  3. How does sovereignty complicate aiding refugees?  
  4. What patterns do you see in which countries migrants leave and which countries they go to?  
  5. The majority of refugees live in poor countries. Should wealthy countries do more, either by supporting host countries or hosting more refugees themselves? 

Policy

  1. What is the difference between an economic migrant and a refugee? In what ways is the distinction blurry?
  2. Explain the difference between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. What hardships are particular to IDPs?
  3. How does sovereignty complicate aiding refugees?
  4. Why is it more challenging for foreign governments and international nongovernmental organizations to support IDPs than to support refugees?
  5. The majority of refugees live in poor countries. Should wealthy countries do more, either by supporting host countries or hosting more refugees themselves?
  6. Which of the goals of national immigration policy (economy, security, values) do you think is the most important? What are the trade-offs of focusing on that goal?
  7. What trends do you see in how U.S. immigration policy has changed over time?
  8. To what extent do you think U.S. immigration policy promotes the goals of supporting the U.S. economy, security, and values?