EXAMPLE DIALOGUE

Active Listening

1. I understand your position is that we should not offer a way for undocumented immigrants now residing in this country to earn their citizenship. Is this correct?

2. Am I correct that your position is based on not rewarding those who break the law?

3. My view is different: I believe that offering earned citizenship is the right and moral thing to do.

4. Is this a subject you feel comfortable in talking about-sharing points of view?

 

President Bush Supports Earned Citizenship

 

5. Does it surprise you that President Bush-who consistently supports conservative Christian values in his domestic policies-favors earned citizenship?

6. In his 2007 State of the Union address, President Bush explained: "We need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country, without animosity and without amnesty."

7. Do you agree with President Bush that allowing undocumented immigrants to earn their citizenship, is not amnesty?

 

Senator Brownbeck Supports Earned Citizenship

 

8. Are you aware that Sam Brownbeck, a leading Republican Senator from Kansas who espouses conservative Christian values, supports earned citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

9. Senator Brownbeck explains his support as follows: "To me, it goes to the core of your view and recognition of human dignity for everybody." (Karen Tumulty, "Special Report on Immigration: Should They Stay or Should They Go?" Time, April 10, 2006, p. 40, hereafter referred to as "Tumulty.")

10. As a Christian, do you believe that affirming human dignity in others is important?

 

Explore Support For Earned Citizenship?

 

11. Are you willing to explore why conservative Christians like President Bush and Senator Brownbeck support earned citizenship?