Modern+tortilla+curtain+for+may+9th

Animals have played important roles as motifs so far in the Tortilla Curtain. Pick one of the following animals to make a finger puppet out of and then (we will do it in class Emily will bring stuff for it) discuss what motif they represent, why this certain animal represents that motif, and explain why this is important to the story itself. Animal Choices: Coyote, Delaney and Kyra's cat, or Sacheverl or Osbert.
 * Opening Activity (For Lisa & Emily)**

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1581708,00.html

In January of this year 761 illegal immigrants were arrested in the L.A. area in one of the biggest sweeps in U.S. history. The raids covered an area of five counties, specifically targetting illegal immigrants who have been deported for crimes or ignored deportation orders. In less then a week more than 450 of the illegal immigrants were deported. 338 immigrants were arrested at their homes and apartments while the other 423 were identified in area jails. The illegals who are already jailed will carry out their sentences, and then they will be put in federal custody. All of the illegals were not from Mexico, they were from a total of 14 different countries including Honduras, Ukraine, India, and Japan. Officials have estimated that there are 600,000 illegal immigrants who have ignored deportation orders. Most of the arrests made were of people who just happened to be found while officials were searching for illegals who have committed real crimes.

1. In the article it says that many illegal immigrants are not just from Mexico. What does this say to you? Do you think that people like Candido and America know that so many illegals are in the United States? Would knowing this effect the amount of illegals coming into the U.S.?
 * Questions:

2. What does the fact that a lot of illegals that are arrested are found while searching for people who have committed crimes say about the U.S. goverment? Do you think that the goverment isn't as worried about catching people like Candido and America as they think they are?

3. Now that America's baby is born, they have a U.S. citizen in their family. What do you predict is going to happen now that the baby is in the family? Could this possibly help Candido and America's situation at all?

4. Many connections between Delaney and Kyra and Candido and America have come up so far in the book. Do you think that they'll actually meet? If not why do you think the connections are put in the story?

5. What do you think the significance of the cat comforting America during her birth is? Could this cat possibly Delaney and Kyra's missing one?

L Wolfson**