| By Tracey Matthews, K12 Content Strategist , Gale |
Complete your debate prep for the National Speech & Debate Tournament with Research In Context! With several portals (or topic pages) on social issues, Research In Context helps middle schoolers make connections to the world beyond the classroom, write persuasive research papers, and prepare well-informed arguments for debate topics such as the 2018-2019 National Debate Topic: Legal Immigration.
Often called the “nation of Immigrants,” the United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world. In 2019, more than 40 million people living in the United States were born in another country according to the Pew Research Center.
Research In Context’s Immigration portal brings together the rich history of immigrants in the nation, immigration laws and reform, and what immigration looks like in the twenty-first century. Within the Immigration portal, you’ll find a wealth of topic overviews, primary sources, and multimedia for debate preparation. Below are examples of recently added or updated topic overviews on the subject:
- Citizenship in the United States, the pathway to become a US Citizen
- Immigration, Law Enforcement, and Border Security, growing national security concerns and immigration law enforcement
- Immigration Reform, reform legislation such as the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1952, Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012
- The Melting Pot Today, the diverse citizens that make up America today
Take a deeper dive into the many facets of legal immigration by visiting related portals on the topic:
If you’re looking for other topics to practice your debating chops, Research In Context has portals on some of the most contested issues facing students today:
Gun Control
Learn about the second amendment, differences between federal and state gun laws, the National Rifle Association, and courageous students who are speaking out about gun violence in schools and demanding tougher gun laws.
Homework
To have or not to have homework. Discover both sides of the issue in the Homework portal.
Recycling
Learn about the numerous benefits of recycling—some are not as obvious as you think; why some businesses don’t recycle; economic impacts of recycling, and recycling practices around the world.
School Uniforms and Dress Codes
What is the difference between school uniforms and dress codes? When are uniform and dress code policies deemed unconstitutional? What is the average cost of a school uniform? Find the answers to these questions and more.
About the Author
Tracey is a K12 content strategist in Gale Databases. She is passionate about family, food, volunteering, and traveling—not necessarily in that order.