The focus of this module is the migration crisis of the 2020s. In chapter one, students learn a brief history of asylum seeking and refugee law, as well as the terminology. In chapters two and three, students go more in depth on two specific crises: Venezuela, and then Ukraine. The final chapter brings students into a critical examination and discussion concerning American politics and how stories of migrants shape American perception of people in crisis.
Accompanying Assignments
Compare and Contrast
In the case of asylum seekers in the 2020s, the two discussed in this module are Ukrainians and Venezuelans. Despite significant political and economic hardship, violence, war, and widespread political and social persecution across these countries, there has been great variation in our legal and policy response to each group.
Student Prompt
How are the crises in Ukraine and Venezuela similar or different? List as many as you can.
How is the U.S. response to each crisis similar or different? List as many as you can.
Assignment
Assign students the prompt to complete on their own. They can go along with the module or respond afterward.
In class, have students share their work in groups of two or three. Provide time for each student to share.
After, have groups share out to the full class: 1 thing they all had, 1 unique thing. Keep a record for them on a whiteboard or projected document.
Continue the Timeline
In November 2024, Trump was elected to serve a second term as president. One of his campaign promises was to engage in mass deportation, including asylum seekers throughout the country. Trump has also identified Chicago and Denver as cities that will be punished if they do not cooperate with planned removals. Importantly, this plan does not appear to apply to Ukrainian refugees or Cubans. It is unclear how this will transpire, given that many immigrants have received temporary protections through TPS or humanitarian parole programs.
Student Prompt
What has happened with U.S. policies toward Venezuela and Ukraine since November 2024? Collect stories from the media, look at policy changes, etc.
Assignment
Make a physical timeline in class with printed materials from websites to continue the story of Venezuelan and Ukrainian refugee reception in the U.S. You can use tape on a whiteboard or a wall.
Use post-it notes to mark up themes of interest. Discuss why.
Discussion Questions
- How are immigrants and asylum seekers from different ethnoracial backgrounds represented in media and political discourse?
- What impact do these representations have on public perceptions and policymaking?