Open or Closed

Students compose a persuasive paragraph expressing their opinion on how U.S. immigration policies should balance national security with opportunities for newcomers. The prompt asks learners to use historical examples from Ellis Island or later immigration laws to support their argument. This exercise encourages critical thinking and civic engagement through evidence-based writing.

Curriculum Matched Skills

Writing – Opinion and Argumentative Paragraph Structure

Civics – Immigration Policy, Rights, and Responsibilities

Social Studies – Connecting Historical and Modern Policy Debates

Critical Thinking – Supporting Claims with Historical Evidence

This worksheet is part of our Immigration and Ellis Island collection.