NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, read the “Background” below explaining midterm elections, the illegal immigration crisis and executive orders.

1. a) Define executive order.
b) Why has President Obama promised to use executive order to implement immigration reform?

2. In June, what time frame did President Obama give for taking executive action on immigration?

3. When will President Obama actually take action on immigration reform, according to a White House official’s announcement on Saturday?

4. For what reason did President Obama backtrack on his promise to act by summer’s end to change U.S. immigration policy?

5. How do President Obama’s supporters (immigration activists) view the President’s change?

6. What do opponents say about his backtracking?

7. What do you think:

1. Would the president’s decision to wait until after the election make you more or less likely to vote for Democratic candidates up for election? Explain your answer.
2. Would your answer be different if you oppose or support the changes the President will make to immigration policy? (If you support President Obama’s use of executive order to make changes, and you support his decision to wait until after the elections to give Democrats a better chance to get re-elected, would you also support a Republican president doing the same for policies he supported?) Explain your answer.
3. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, etc. or liberal, conservative, etc., which way of making major changes to U.S. policy is best for the country? Explain your answer.
4. Are President Obama and Democrats in Congress trying to deceive the American people or are they just being pragmatic, or both? Explain your answer.