Essay Topics on Immigration That Make You Think

Last upated on March 21, 2023

People always seek possibilities to live a better life, and many of them choose to immigrate to another country. Typically, people leave their motherland because of war, low standards of living, aggravated political climate, and many other reasons. If people can’t feel safe and satisfied in the place they live in, it’s obvious that they will strive to change it to something more comfortable and friendly.

If you were assigned to write a paper about immigration and are looking for immigration essay topics, but your muse has left you – no need to worry! WriteMyEssay editors have collected a stunning list of immigration paper topics for any kind of paper. In the article below, you will find more than a hundred issues connected to immigration.

How to Choose an Essay Topic on Immigration

Before we proceed to topics, consider some helpful points. We have gathered a big list of topics to choose from. If you don’t want to feel overwhelmed either in choosing your assignment or in writing your assignment, keep in mind our recommendations:

🤔 Identify your interests. Start by thinking about what aspect of immigration interests you the most. Is it the history of immigration in the US, current immigration policies, or the impact of immigration on society? We have sorted topics for your comfort.

🔎 Research. Research your potential topics and see what information is available on them. Check the latest news and academic sources to ensure that your topic has depth and substance.

🏹 Choose a specific focus. Immigration is a broad topic, so you need to narrow it down by choosing a specific aspect of immigration to focus on. For instance, you could write about the impact of illegal immigration on the US economy.

US Immigration Topics: Modern Issues

1. Analyze how minimum wage and immigration affect the cost of living in the US and Canada.
   How do changes in minimum wage laws and immigration policies affect the supply of labor and the demand for goods and services? What are the long-term implications of these changes for the economy, including their impact on inflation, economic growth, and income inequality? How do these policies vary between the two countries and what can be learned from the similarities and differences?
2. Explain how immigration affects the US today.
   Analyze the current impact of immigration on the US economy, society, and politics, considering factors such as the job market, income inequality, cultural diversity, and political polarization.
3. Analyze the current plan of American immigration policy. How can it be improved?
   Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current American immigration policy. What are some potential improvements that could be made to the policy to better serve the needs of immigrants and the country as a whole?
4. Analyze the situation with illegal immigrants from Mexico. What are the consequences of such immigration?
   What are the economic, social, and political consequences of such immigration on both countries? How can this issue be addressed?
5. What are the positive effects of immigration in the US?
   You can discuss points such as the economic benefits, cultural diversity, social benefits, political effects, and contributions to science and technology.
6. Compare the views of US presidents on immigration issues. What were the crucial reforms made?
   The views of US presidents on immigration issues have varied greatly over the years. For example, President Obama was a strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, while President Trump has taken a much more hard-line stance on the issue.
7. What are the most current immigration problems in the US today? How can these problems be addressed?
   Here are the main problems to consider in your essay on this topic: border security, the DACA program, family separations, immigration court backlogs, and undocumented immigrants. Solutions to these problems may be connected to comprehensive immigration reform, addressing the root causes of migration, improving immigration court systems, and protecting the rights of refugees and immigrant communities.
8. Discuss how Trump’s immigration policies have impacted the US.
   Some potential main points on how Trump’s immigration policies have impacted the US are increased restrictions and enforcement, controversy and polarization, negative economic effects, humanitarian concerns, and legal challenges.
9. Discuss Third World immigration as a threat to the US and other developed countries.
   Immigration as a threat to developed countries like the US has been a topic of debate and controversy for several decades. Some of the main points to consider in this discussion include: negative economic effects, threat of cultural impact, security risks, positive contribution to the society, and ineffectiveness of immigration policies.
10. Explain whether immigration helps or hurts the US economy and society.
    In this essay you can focus on the positive or negative effects of immigration. For example, you can explore how immigrants contribute to the US economy through their labor, consumption, and tax payments. Also, immigrants positively reduce the aging population and declining birth rates. Moreover, immigrants bring innovations and entrepreneurship to the country.
11. Analyze the portrayal of immigrants and assimilation in mass media and its influence on the general public in the US.
    Historically there have been a lot of negative representations in mass media of immigrants, starting with caricatures and ending with distorted media representation of immigrants. The media has the power to shape policies, legislation, and public opinion. Discuss how this problem should be addressed.
12. Evaluate the effectiveness of Trump’s border wall against drug trafficking and illegal activities.
    This is an in-depth topic. You can start with the cost of building the wall, the impact of the wall on illegal immigration, its effect on drug trafficking, its environmental impact, and its social impact.
13. Discuss the effects of border control on US immigration policy.
    In this topic, you can analyze the effectiveness of border control in terms of preventing illegal immigration, protecting national security, and addressing public concerns about immigration.
14. Should the US be an “open-borders” nation with liberal immigration policy?
    In this essay you can consider the effects of open borders on labor markets, public services, national security, cultural diversity, and political polarization. You can also analyze case studies of other countries with more liberal immigration policies and draw comparisons to the potential impact in the US.
15. Analyze US language policy in the context of language, immigration, and human rights.
    Provide an overview of US language policy, including federal and state regulations, as well as historical and cultural contexts that shaped the policy. Discuss how the government addresses multilingualism, linguistic discrimination, etc.
16. Describe the responsibility of the US concerning immigration around the world.
    This topic can be approached from various angles, you can focus on several points or choose one for your research: global refugee crisis, Latin America immigration, international human rights, global migration governance, and climate migration.
17. Explore the influence of Latino immigrants on the religious beliefs of Americans.
    Analyze the factors that have contributed to the growth of Latino religious groups in the US and examine the impact that these groups have had on American society. Evaluate the implications of this interaction for the future of American religion and culture.
18. Analyze the problems of immigrant women in the US.
    This topic could explore the various issues and obstacles that immigrant women face in the US, such as language barriers, discrimination, access to education and healthcare, economic exploitation, gender-based violence, and cultural clashes.
19. Analyze how immigration of Mexicans to Texas affects the local economy.
    In this essay you can consider the effects of immigration on the state’s labor market, state tax revenues, its economic benefits, impact on public services, etc.
20. Explain what economic, legal, and social issues surround illegal immigration in the US.
    In this essay you can analyze how illegal immigrants affect wages, employment, and public finances. Explore the social costs and benefits of illegal immigration, including issues of public safety, education, and healthcare. Also, describe how the US immigration laws and policies affect the treatment of illegal immigrants.
21. How does the immigrant population influence laws and policies in the US?
    From citizenship and labor laws to education and healthcare policies, immigrants have been instrumental in shaping the legal and political landscape of the country.
22. Why is US immigration policy unstable? Relate this to the DREAM Act.
    Evaluate the political and social consequences of the unstable US immigration policy, examining the DREAM Act as a case study. Assess the impact of the DREAM Act on the lives of young undocumented immigrants and their families, and how this influences the debate on US immigration policy.

US Immigration Topics: Historical Aspect

1. Discuss the immigration rates before and after the Civil War.
   Examine the impact on the nation’s demographic and economic changes, as well as the major policies that have shaped immigration during this period.
2. Evaluate the effects of immigration of Europeans (1492-1700) on the American Indian Population.
   How did immigration and settlement by Europeans affect the cultural, social, and economic practices of Native American tribes? To what extent did the introduction of European diseases, firearms, and other technologies disrupt the traditional ways of life for Native Americans?
3. Explore US history and find out how Americans responded to immigrants in the past and today.
   Consider the ways in which different waves of immigrants have been received by American society. For example, how were German and Irish immigrants viewed in the mid-19th century, or how did attitudes toward Chinese immigrants change during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
4. Analyze how immigration legislation has changed from 1790 to the present. How has this influenced the treatment of immigrants?
   This topic can explore the various laws and policies that have been implemented throughout history, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Immigration Act of 1924, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
5. Describe the last wave of immigration in the 1960s. What issues of stratification were faced?
   In this essay you can discuss racially discriminatory quotas, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the significant increase in the number of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, issues of stratification, and discrimination.
6. Explore immigration from Vietnam to the US after the Vietnam War.
   The Vietnamese-American community is now one of the largest Asian-American communities in the US. The US government created the Orderly Departure Program (ODP) to manage the flow of Vietnamese refugees to the US. Vietnamese refugees faced many challenges, such as cultural differences, language barriers, and discrimination.
7. Explain the influence of volcanoes and climate – triggered immigration to America in the 19th century.
   In this essay you can mention how the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 caused a “year without a summer.” Also, severe drought in eastern Europe, coupled with a series of volcanic eruptions in Asia, caused widespread crop failures and economic hardships in the late 1800s.
8. Analyze US immigration policy in regards to discrimination.
   If you will choose this topic, you can mention the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the Immigration Act of 1924, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Point out where there’s room for improvements.
9. Explore Chinese immigration to the US in the 18th century.
   In this essay you can focus on the first recorded Chinese immigrants in the late 1700s and discuss the increased number of immigrants during the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s.
10. How has immigration impacted the American Industrial Revolution 1880-1920?
    Immigrants during this period had a significant impact on the US economy, labor force, and society. This influx of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences helped to shape the American identity and culture.
11. Describe the peculiarities of immigration reforms under Jim Crow.
    Discuss the ways in which immigration policies and practices in the Jim Crow era were used to reinforce racial hierarchies and to exclude or marginalize African Americans and other people of color.
12. Analyze the impact of immigration on US cities at the turn of the century.
    Discuss the ways in which immigration affected social and cultural life in US cities during the turn of the century. How did immigrants’ traditions and customs shape urban communities, and what conflicts emerged between immigrant groups and established residents?
13. How has the immigration system changed after 9/11?
    In this essay, you can explore the views of presidents on immigration after 9/11 and highlight the main changes and attitudes.
14. Explain how the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 have changed American views on immigration.
    In this essay you can discuss how 9/11 influenced the treatment of Muslim immigrants in the U.S. and the impact of these policies on American society. Examine the changes in American public opinion towards immigration after 9/11 and its implications for the political landscape.

Immigration Argumentative Essay Topics

1. What can the US do with undocumented immigration?
2. Should the US be more isolative and create strict immigration policy?
3. What events and issues in the 20th century have affected modern US immigration policy? How?
4. Discuss the waves of immigration to the US. How has it shaped American society?
5. How does illegal immigration affect US politics and the economy?
6. Discuss how race and religion affected the views of fundamentalists on immigration in the 1920s.
7. How does illegal immigration influence American society?
8. Should English be the one official language in the US in regards to immigration? Why?
9. Discuss the views of Donald Trump on immigration.
10. Explore how illegal immigration affects each US state. Should each state take its own immigration policy?
11. What are the origins of the growth of illegal immigration in the US?
12. Does mass media provide sufficient information about immigration policies in the US?
13. Should immigration to the US be paid or free?
14. Explain the relationship between drugs and US immigration. What should officials do to eliminate it?
15. Should illegal immigrants that live in the US for a long time have a path to legal residency or citizenship?
16. What if immigration didn’t happen in 1850-1920? Explore the possible future situation.
17. Should immigration laws be revised? Why?
18. How does immigration relate to criminal justice?
19. Are there links between crime and immigration rates? How can the crime be prevented?
20. How are discrimination, racism, and ethnocentrism connected to immigration?
21. Does immigration reduce labor market opportunities of less-skilled natives?
22. How will the focus of policies on immigration flow solve immigration issues?
23. Are there reasons for European countries to be worried about the current levels of immigration?
24. How does migration influence the understanding of family? How do population shifts influence the country?
25. Persuade your audience that illegal immigration positively affects the economy.
26. Did Obama achieve objectives in immigration policy?
27. Do immigration laws infringe the rights of legal immigrants and American citizens?
28. How does capitalism affect the global problem of immigration?
29. Persuade your audience about whether immigration rates increase drug use in the US.
30. How does immigration affect people’s lives?
31. Explore the reasons for Russian-Jewish immigration to the US in the late 1800s.
32. What are economic arguments for and against reforming current immigration laws in the US?
33. Is deportation the right solution for illegal immigration?
34. How can multiculturalism and assimilation deal with immigration?

Interesting Immigration Topics for Research Paper Writing

1. Analyze modern technologies that enhance and improve the immigration process. What are the most effective?
2. Examine primary source letters and political cartoons on immigration. What can be learned from it? Explain the importance of considering immigrant voices.
3. Analyze unchecked immigration as one of the reasons for the resurgence of diseases.
4. Evaluate the tension between immigration and the rise of populist and right-wing political parties in recent years.
5. Explain how immigration affects the life and academic performance of international students.
6. Explain whether it’s simple to immigrate from one country to another.
7. Compare and contrast the lives of two women from different ethnic or racial groups in terms of immigration.
8. Analyze the trends of 21st century world migration (immigration and emigration).
9. Analyze the countries with the highest immigration rates. What are the most popular destinations?
10.  Analyze concepts of melting pot and salad bowl in the context of immigration.
11. Analyze the immigration experience of an ethnic-racial group ( your choice).
12. Analyze the impact of immigration and religion on cultural conflicts in the 1920s in the US.
13. Find out reasons of increased debate over immigration in the past few decades.
14. Analyze how the Second Industrial Revolution has affected immigration rates.
15. Examine the relationship between branding in Canada and immigration.
16. Explore the most effective tools to deal with illegal immigration. What is the global history of regulating immigration?
17. Analyze the impact of immigration on education.
18. Discuss whether the prevention of immigration will stop people from searching for a better life.
19. Find the reasons why people are usually negative about immigration.
20. Discuss increased immigration in the global context.
21. How do immigration and refugees impact domestic economies?
22. Tell about your views on immigration issues.
23. What are common misconceptions about immigration?
24. Define the roles of national, state, and local governments in immigration rates.
25. Explore immigration regarding education, business, or social life, and analyze its impact on the broader culture.

International Immigration Essay Topics

1. Analyze the immigration policy in Canada during the 20th century.
2. Analyze immigration in Germany. Was it a need or an act of tolerance?
3. Explain the modern immigration system in the UK.
4. Explore the history of German immigration in the 19th century.
5. Have crime rates in Germany increased due to increased immigration?
6. How does immigration influence unemployment rates in Canada?
7. Explore the connection between Australian national identity and immigration.
8. Analyze the change of Japan’s immigration policy after WW2.
9. Compare Mexican repatriation in the 1930s and immigration issues nowadays.
10. Analyze the most recent levels of immigration between different EU countries.
11. Explore the positive and negative effects of immigration in Saudi Arabia.
12. How does the immigration of a specific group affect Canadian economics?
13. Analyze the Muslim immigration in Britain and its consequences for the country.
14. Analyze Korean immigration rates from 1950 to nowadays.
15. How does immigration labor benefit the UK?
16. Discuss current immigration issues in the EU and its influence on terrorism rates.
17. Explore immigration during World War II.
18. Compare and contrast direct European immigration and indirect immigration to Texas.
19. Explore gender roles in Irish immigration.
20. Explain the role of immigration in Canadian multicultural identity and economic benefits.
21.  Analyze issues of race and immigration in the late 19th and early 20th century in the US.
22. Discuss the issues connected to multiculturalism and immigration in Sweden.
23. Explain the relation of Chinese immigration to the American frontier.
24. Discuss perspectives on the immigration of Chinese settlers to the US in the 19th century.
25. Explain major problems with immigration in Spain.
26. Describe the attitude of western countries toward the Chinese in relation to immigration.
27. Describe the causes or effects of Vietnamese immigration.
28. Analyze reasons for Asian immigration into New Zealand in the context of globalization.
29. Explore the causes of Somali immigration to the US.
30. Analyze Pakistani immigration to the US since 1990.
31. Analyze the effects of immigration on wage growth rates in Canada: 2006 – 2015.
32. Compare immigration policies in Africa and the possibilities of migrating to the US.
33. Analyze the new immigration law in Switzerland and its benefits to Switzerland.
34. Find out the reasons why the EU has failed in addressing immigration and the refugee problem.
35. Explore the history of Japanese immigration to the US.

Illegal Immigration Essay Topics

1. The increase in illegal immigration is due to poverty.
2. The strict rules against illegal immigration is sometimes irrelevant.
3. Slavery is associated with illegal immigration.
4. Prostitution is associated with illegal immigration.
5. Illegal immigration can promote terrorism.
6. Illegally immigrated kids should be given citizenship.
7. Border rules in countries like USA are irrelevant.
8. The death rate of illegal immigrants is increasing.
9. The only way to stop illegal immigration is to make changes in rules.
10. Rehabilitation facilities should be given to old illegal immigrants.

Illegal Immigration Research Paper Topics

1. How effective would a border wall be between Mexico and the US in stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs and illegal migration when every stage of prevention has eventually been overcome?
2. What are the greatest concerns in regards to immigration policies for the upcoming half century?
3. How have immigration policies changed in the United States in the last century? What were the biggest factors leading up to those changes?
4. What effects would deportation of illegal immigrants have on family members living legally within the United States? What options would be available to prevent separation?
5. Why have immigration reform laws been such hot-button issues in the last 12 years in the US Presidential Elections? How have people responded?
6. How have immigration trends in the last 50 years affected communities’ population growth and diversity? How do these affect how local policies are written?
7. Are people tolerant of legal immigrants? Are discriminatory acts grounded on legal status or rooted deeply in ethnic intolerance?
8. How have immigration patterns changed in the US over the last 50 years? For instance, why have immigrants mostly come from some areas in certain decades?
9. Many people in the US complain about the increase of immigrants in the country but fail to realize that there are many jobs natives are unwilling to do. Why has this been the case?
10. How do immigrants feel about blending in with American culture rather than holding on to their own culture and reviving it within their newfound communities?

Illegal Immigration Argumentative Essay Topics

1. Discuss how illegal immigration has affected the security of communities.
2. Champion for the need to grant amnesty to immigrants.
3. Discuss how illegal immigration has become a constant challenge in the US.
4. Highlight the crisis that has been borne out of immigration patterns.
5. Propose useful ways to put an end to illegal immigration.
6. Discuss the need for reforms in immigration legislation.
7. Discuss some of the problems that come about as a result of illegal immigrants.
8. It is inhumane to deny illegal immigrants benefits – discuss.
9. Discuss the key causes and effects of the illegal immigration problem.
10. Explain how the federalist system has indeed led to an increase in illegal immigrants in the country.

Essay Topics About Illegal Immigration

1. Discuss why countries that create chaos overseas must be ready to take in illegal immigrants.
2. Discuss some of the good effects of illegal immigration that are barely ever discussed.
3. Explain how illegal immigrants are affecting the economy.
4. Critically compare and contrast the pros and cons of illegal immigration.
5. Discuss the environmental impact of such illegal immigration patterns.
6. Debunk some myths related to the use of social services, and the illegal immigration crisis.
7. Explain how information flow is key to the continued rise in the population of illegal immigrants in so many countries all over the world.
8. Using case studies, highlight the plight of illegal immigrants, the challenges that they face from the moment they leave their country of origin, to their final destination.
9. Discuss why countries that create chaos overseas must be ready to take in illegal immigrants.
10. Discuss some of the good effects of illegal immigration that are barely ever discussed.

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