What is the main claim? This act (bill) claims that the current state of our government’s immigration policy regarding illegal students is flawed. It was created to propose legislation that would help current students who graduate from high school, who are of good moral character, have remained in America for 5 years previous to the bills enactment and arrived in the US as children, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency.

Does it involve an issue of substantiation, evaluation or policy? The issue of immigration is one of substantiation because it calls to question exactly what a student of good academic standing means despite their lack of citizenship. The issue forces our government to argue over whether a student who is trying to start a better life in America (with a clean record) deserves the opportunity to continue their studies, or whether they should be deported because they aren’t citizens. The need for immigration reform for students is also an issue of evaluation because it makes it difficult for our government to decide whether deportation for students who have grown accustomed to the American way of life, is right or wrong. It also involves an issue of policy to a significant extent since the entire issue surrounds the need for governmental bills that would reform the current immigration system.

Is this issue part of an ongoing debate, discussion, or controversy?

This issue is part of both an ongoing debate and controversy because it is difficult for people to completely disregard other individuals as aliens since most of the illegal aliens in this country are escaping their own governments. Some people see illegal aliens as criminals while others sympathize them for their efforts to start a new life, where they could potentially make something of themselves.

Describe the intended readers and explain how the argument seeks to influence them. The intended audience for this bill would be the members of Congress. If each member of the Senate and House of Representatives votes in favor of the act, reform would be enforced and illegal immigrants who also happen to be students would have the opportunity to continue their studies.

Analyze the rhetorical stance. How does the writer integrate ethos, pathos, and logos? The writers of this act used ethos through their proposal to Congress. By using sophisticated language that is normal jargon in the government, the writer’s demonstrate that they are credible individuals who have a potential solution to an issue. Since the writer’s are governors from Florida, Congress would be more willing to listen to what they have to say as opposed to a group of students or any other person who wouldn’t have any influence over the government in general. They also offer a description of the situation and a complex solution that makes logical sense. This helps them integrate logos into their argument. However, since their audience is already well informed about the issue since immigration reform has been on governmental agendas for decades, it is important that the writer’s present the issue and a solution that would help both parties (government and the illegal students). By using statistical data, Congress could easily understand how important this issue is and how they should act now. In order to incorporate pathos, or emotions into their proposed bill, the writer’s use data that supported many of the unfortunate cases of college students of good academic standing that are being forced to go back to their country of origin.

Analyze the parts of the argument. The claim that these governors have made is that the government should pass a bill that would allow students who currently reside in the US illegally, the opportunity to continue their studies through a six year process that would offer them either a two-year college degree or military work. The evidence that is used includes statistical data regarding the current situation for illegal students in the US. The enabling assumptions are that proposed legislation that will bring change and in essence, help students educate themselves in America.

Examine any strategies used to negotiate differences. The bill introduces an issue that has been discussed over and over again on a federal level. By referring to old bills that failed to pass in Congress in the past, the writer’s build momentum and a need or urgency for change. Overall effectiveness of the argument. I feel that this act was effective to some extent because it offered a combination of old legislation that was proposed early in the millennium, with added elements that relate to our current situation with immigration more accurately. However, the issue is very controversial and although the bill was recently proposed, many politicians are reluctant to act on it because of bigger issues facing America like the economy.