Cross-Cultural Blog

This assignment was created by students at The City College of New York for the Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar, Web Discourse. Students are researching a social issue in one of four large topics: Urban Life, Public Health, Immigration, and Education. This will result in a final research paper that explores both how the conversations surrounding the issue are enacted and how a CCNY student may enter that conversation in a meaningful way.

Illegal Immigration is one the biggest topics concerning America today but one of the main issues that many people do not consider is how important it is for Americans to treat immigrants as human beings rather than criminals. The topic of whether or no it is right to provide quality education for undocumented students is an important aspect of the illegal immigration debate in this country. In some states around the country, colleges are starting to allow undocumented students attend class but the struggle for the students will still continue as the requirement of affording out of state tuition without financial aid is very difficult.

My thesis will be an introduction to my main argument that undocumented students should be treated like any other student and the strict restrictions are not necessary. It is an argument of equality for students that are feeling discriminated because they are not being allowed to learn. My argument will be supported with evidence because the topic is in my interest, knowing that I might have a better opportunity to be educated than people that are not from here, it is not fair. The United States should make it easier for illegal immigrants to achieve the American Dream and education is the first step to making that happen.

The issues/ideas that may need to be discovered more thoroughly is exactly how many undocumented students are either permitted or restricted to going to school. How will illegal immigrants being educated affect US citizens in the workplace after school has ended? Why is it important for undocumented students to be educated? These are some of the issues I am going to go more in depth because the answers to these questions can support my arguments.

I would like to find both scholarly sources and regular sources because I believe both will be influential to my argument. The scholarly source (EBSCO Host, J Stor, etc.) will provide me with experts opinions and I can put their arguments into consideration as illegal immigration is a hot topic in the United States today. I can also use regular sources such as articles from newspapers, blogs, and the mainstream media. I can use the information from these sources to consider what the majority of the population believes about this issue, whether it is right or wrong.

The most difficult task will be supporting my argument as my argument is not supported by the majority of the population. My arguments seem to support undocumented students whereas the majority of the population are US citizens, who are mainly against them having the right to go to school. My challenge will mostly likely be with finding legitimate sources that can provide evidence that can support my argument.