Keiper, T. and J. Garcia. “Crossing Borders: Contemporary Immigrant Stories in Historical Context.” (2009)

The vast majority of USA residents have ancestors who were immigrants, whether they came voluntarily or involuntarily. These immigrants have helped to shape the social, cultural and economic history of the nation. The first part of the paper gives a useful chronology of migration to the USA from 1600 to the present day, presented in five separate ‘waves.’ The ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors that initiated each wave, and how American society was shaped as a result, are discussed. The second part gives some thoughtful points for discussion about the role of migration in American society, and presents three interesting contemporary migration stories (from Mexico, Egypt and Russia) that could form the basis for immigration studies with young learners.