March for Children in Chicago, 2018. Source: Flickr/Kurman Communications LLC
The airwaves are full of inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants and calls for “mass deportations.” Politicians are fear-mongering about an “invasion” at the Southern border. They ignore the invasions by the United States in countries around the world — as well as the U.S. economic and climate policies that have turned so many people into refugees.
The United States has invaded politically and militarily, removing elected leaders and imposing dictators. And the United States has invaded environmentally with the devastating climate crisis. The dire conditions caused by decades of colonialism, militarism, “free trade” policies, and drought are forcing many people to make the desperate and dangerous trek North.
That is why it is important to teach about immigration. Students are impervious to lies when they know the history and can think critically.
Find lessons, teaching guides, and other resources for teaching about immigration below.
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U.S. Mexico War: “We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God” Lesson by Bill Bigelow This interactive activity introduces students to the history and often untold story of the U.S.-Mexico War. Roles are available in Spanish. |
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Deportations on Trial: Mexican Americans During the Great Depression Lesson by Ursula Wolfe-Rocca In this role play, students analyze who is to blame for the illegal, mass deportations of Mexican Americans and immigrants during the Great Depression. |
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No Option Except Escape: A Role Play on the Struggles of Climate Refugees Lesson by World Oregon’s Young Leaders in Action Students explore the challenges and perspectives of people — climate refugees — who have “no option except escape” from homes devastated by climate change. |
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The Line Between Us: Teaching About the Border and Mexican Immigration Teaching Guide by Bill Bigelow Lessons for teaching about the history of U.S.–Mexico relations and current border and immigration issues. |
 Social Justice Books offers a list of recommended books for pre-K–12 on immigration. |
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Classroom Stories
I used the Deportations on Trial lesson with my Virginia history class this semester. We set up our classroom like a courtroom, with some students as the jury and other students grouped according to who was being tried.
The students were shocked to learn that hundreds of thousands of native born Mexican Americans were deported during the Great Depression, even though they were lawful citizens.
At the end of the trial, each class concluded with who they believed was responsible for the deportation of millions of Mexican Americans. The verdicts differed based on each class, but students felt stern in convicting the federal government and the police for having the power to stop these acts, yet deciding to carry them out anyway.
The readings were simple and helped students in developing their defense. The level of academic discourse was perfectly grade appropriate for my juniors and seniors. Overall, it was a great way to expose the students to more details about the topic, practice critical thinking skills, collaboration, and reading comprehension.
Zinn Education Project resources help me stay honest and focused, and ensure that I am checking for a biased narrative in my classroom. When I couldn’t find materials related to Mexican American studies, the Zinn Education Project had those lessons done and done well, like the Deportations on Trial lesson.
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