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Difficulty: MediumPost-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

Read the excerpt below and answer the following question.

"We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. It is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest... Credibility in immigration policy can be measured by a simple yardstick: people who should get in, get in; people who should not enter are kept out; and people who are deported who should not be here are required to leave."
— Barbara Jordan, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, Testimony before the House Committee on the Judiciary, 1995

The arguments expressed in the excerpt most directly reflect which of the following?

  1. Growing political debates over federal enforcement and the economic effects of new migration patternsAnswer
  2. B
    Efforts to stimulate the economy by deregulating industries and reducing the power of labor unions
  3. C
    Shifts in national security priorities focused on preemptive military actions against non-state actors
  4. D
    Consensus that increased military spending was the primary driver of diplomatic achievements abroad

Answer

Growing political debates over federal enforcement and the economic effects of new migration patterns
The correct answer is correct because Barbara Jordan's testimony before Congress in 1995 directly addresses the need for a credible and lawful immigration system. This reflects the growing political and public debate in the late twentieth century over federal border enforcement, the rule of law, and the economic and social impacts of the post-1980 immigration wave, which saw millions of new arrivals primarily from Latin America and Asia.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context of the stimulus.
The excerpt is from Barbara Jordan's 1995 testimony on immigration reform, emphasizing that while the U.S. is a nation of immigrants, it must maintain a credible, lawful system of immigration control.
Understanding the source and its main argument is necessary to contextualize the question.
2
Connect the excerpt to broader historical trends in Period 9 (1980–Present).
Following 1980, the United States saw a significant increase in immigration from Latin America and Asia. This led to intense debates over the economic, social, and cultural impacts of immigration, as well as debates over federal vs. state enforcement policies.
This step links the specific primary source to the larger curriculum objective regarding post-1980 migration patterns.
3
Identify the correct option that matches the analysis.
The option noting growing debates over federal enforcement and the economic effects of migration patterns is the correct answer.
This choice accurately represents the domestic policy debates of the 1990s reflected in the Jordan Commission's focus on policy credibility and enforcement.

Key Concept

Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity
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Topics

Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

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