The Roots of the Central American Asylum Crisis

Introduction

Tens of thousands of people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have tried to enter the United States in recent years.  Fleeing gang violence and crippling poverty.

Task

Analyze the origins and history of why so many people are seeking asylum in the United States from Central America.

Compare/contrast the reasons why people are seeking asylum today vs. why they sought asylum earlier in the 20th century when U.S. asylum law was drafted.

Process

1.  Do a quick write on:  What would it take for you to leave your home and seek asylum or protection in another country? What would have to be happening in this country? How would you feel about being forced to leave?

2. Watch the video with your group

 

3.  In your group, discuss what the word "asylum" means.  

4.  In  your group, discuss each other's quick writes.

5. Read  https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/31036/why-so-many-people-in-the-northern-triangle-are-seeking-u-s-asylum, especially the graphic at the bottom of the post.

 

Evaluation

As a class, students respond to the following questions in a discussion or in writing:

  •  What is the origins of the serious gang problem in the Northern Triangle of Central America?
  •  What role did the United States government play in causing the gang problem?
  • What role do the governments of the Northern Triangle countries play?
  • Do you think fear of gang violence should be grounds for being granted asylum in the United States? Why or why not?
  •  How should the United States government treat asylum seekers from any nation, in your opinion?
Conclusion

If a student would like to take this one step further, they may contact a local representative to discuss the issues with illegal immigration. 

Credits

The Lowdown | Why Are so Many Central Americans Seeking Asylum in the U.S.? A Graphic Explainer and Lesson Plan. (2021, February 24). PBS LearningMedia. https://wqed.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/central-americans-seeking-as…

Teacher Page

                                                                         KEY VOCABULARY AND DEFINITIONS 

asylum (n.) Protection given by a government to someone who has left their own country to escape harm Many people seek asylum in the United States when they are being oppressed or threatened in their own countries.

credible (adj Possible to believe, deserving belief Asylum seekers must prove a credible fear of persecution by their own government.

crippling (ad Causing great damage or weakness Many asylum seekers are also escaping crippling poverty in their home nations.

extortion (n. The crime of getting money from someone using threats or force “Your money or your life” is a well-known threat of extortion used by some criminals.

influx (n.) The arrival of a large number of people The influx of asylum seekers from the Northern Triangle today has its roots in earlier U.S. immigration policies.

persecution (n.) Treating in a cruel and harmful way People facing unfair persecution by their governments are often eligible for asylum.

plight (n.) A bad, difficult or negative situation Being held in detention before going to immigration court is the plight of most asylum seekers today.

To spike (v.) To increase greatly in a short period of time The number of asylum seekers from the Northern Triangle has spiked in recent years due to gang violence.