As we know, there is a major conflict in the United States over illegal immigration.  12 million illegal immigrants are living in the country; 500,000 illegal immigrants enter the country each year.  Many of these undocumented residents enjoy the some of the privileges and have the some of the same responsibilities that citizens do.  Over 4.5 million children of illegal immigrants are in U.S. public schools.  All immigrants (legal and illegal) are required to pay taxes – including sales, income, and property taxes.  Yet illegal immigrants are not granted some of the basic rights and benefits that U.S. citizens have – the right to vote, to serve in the military, to apply for a college scholarship, to apply for welfare, etc.

Do you think that immigrant rights are a civil rights issue?

Immigration Stories from the NY Times (read at least two different stories): http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/share-your-immigration-story/

On Election Day 2008, California voters passed a law called Proposition 8, which changed the state constitution to say that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”  Previously, same-sex couples had been granted the right to marry in California.  Currently, only two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts have legalized same-sex marriage.  Some other states recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships, but refuse to allow same-sex couples to “marry.”

Do you think that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue?

ARTICLES:
“One year later, nation divided on gay marriage”: http://www.boston.com/news/specials/gay_marriage/articles/2005/05/15/one_year_later_nation_divided_on_gay_marriage/

NY Times “Same-Sex Marriage News” (read the article under the photo on the main page): http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/same_sex_marriage/index.html