In Spring 2011, several North African and Middle Eastern nations erupted in political protest. Known as the Arab Spring, the protests targeted absolute dictatorships across the two regions. In Syria, the uprising led to a violent civil war, pitting the Syrian government against rebel groups seeking democratic reform. Caught in the crossfire were millions of innocent Syrians, including large numbers of women and children. Of the 13.5 million refugees identified by the United Nations, nearly 5 million fled Syria and sought refuge in other countries. Western Europe and the United States pledged their support in the wake of the refugee crisis, and, as a result, large numbers of Syrian refugees have poured into these areas.

Due to escalating international terrorism and global violence, Americans are divided on how to deal with future influxes of refugees. Some argue that we should open our borders to those fleeing terrorism and violence. However, others argue that we should close our borders to the refugees, or conduct a thorough vetting process before letting additional refugees into the country.

Objectives and Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate understanding of vocabulary and concepts related to the United States’ responsibility to refugees from nations that sponsor terrorism.
  
  
• Students will analyze the narrative of the United States’ refugee responsibilities.
  
  
• Students will deliberate whether the United States should accept refugees from nations that sponsor terrorist ideas that call for the destruction of the United States