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It's been hard to ignore America's 11 million undocumented immigrants recently. The debate over new immigration legislation has spilled from Washington to the rest of the country, sparking passionate responses from all sides of the immigration debate. What do you think the government should do? Should it continue to restrict the flow of undocumented immigrants? Do you favor amnesty and rights for undocumented immigrants? Or do you feel that you are not so clearly pro-or anti-immigrant? Please drop us a line, we'd like to know where you stand. Daniel Tichenor of Rutgers University is someone who doesn't believe that the immigration debate can be neatly divided in to pro and anti-immigrant camps. To get a richer understanding of immigration politics, Tichenor suggests looking at two key issues: how many immigrants should be allowed in to the Unites States and what rights these immigrants should be granted. If we look at these issues throughout American history, Tichenor argues that we can identify four different viewpoints on immigration: Cosmopolitans like Edward Kennedy believe in the social and economic benefits of immigration and thus support open admissions and broad rights; Free-market expansionists like Ronald Reagan favor open admissions to ensure a steady supply of inexpensive labor, albeit with restricted rights for immigrants; Nationalist egalitarians like Barbara Jordan want tightened borders because they believe that immigrants drag down wages and threaten social and political equality; however, this group does support full rights for legal immigrants. Classic exclusionists like Pat Buchanan call for strict limits on immigration and immigrant rights. Do you think that Daniel Tichenor has accurately captured the different sides of the immigration debate? Do you fall into one of these groups? Please let us know. To read more of Tichenor's take on the immigration debate, check out his new book, Dividing Lines. The immigration debate is complex and sometimes confusing. As you consider this weighty issues, why not sip a soothing cup of tea or an invigorating mug of coffee. Whatever your beverage of choice, enjoy it in style in NY Ceramic Coffee Cup. Based on the famous Greek diner takeout cup, this mug manages the nifty trick of being both fun and practical. The NY Ceramic Coffee Cup is currently on sale on the Museum's online shop for 10% off. 4.9% According to the Pew Hispanic Center, undocumented immigrants make up 4.9% of America's workforce. What jobs do undocumented workers hold? The Pew study found that they comprise a significant presence in occupational fields: 24% of all farm workers 17% of all cleaning workers 14% of all construction workers 12% of all cooks Green cards are not really green. Officially known as a U.S. Permanent Resident Cards, these cards are mostly white. Permanent residents who are not citizens use the card as proof that they have been legally permitted to live and work in the United States. Immigrants with permanent resident status must carry the card with them at all times. Obtaining a green card is often difficult and can take many years. Overwhelming preference is given to immediate relatives (parents, spouses or children) of those currently living in the United States as citizens or permanent residents. Immigrants can also gain permanent resident status by applying for political asylum, petitioning an employer, or winning the annual diversity lottery. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) used to issue these cards, which were originally colored green. Today, Permanent Resident Cards are distributed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. 80% of the ancestors of American Jews settled on the Lower East Side. Stanford Sternlicht is part of this amazing statistic: he spent part of his childhood in the neighborhood. In The Tenement Saga, Sternlicht blends his memories with scholarship to create a vivid portrait of the Jewish Lower East Side and its greatest writers, including Henry Roth (left). On April 21st, Mr. Sternlicht will visit the Museum Store at 108 Orchard Street to discuss and sign copies of The Tenement Saga. We hope you can join us. "I cannot think of anywhere which performs such an invaluable - and entertaining - service in restoring and preserving REAL history, and to make it so accessible. Times Square, Broadway, Central Park etc. - they're all OK, but the Lower East Side is where I want to be!" -- Ken, United Kingdom You can help us preserve the history of the Lower East Side. Become a member today.