Moving Detainees to Illinois

The Washington Post is running an article entitled, "U.S. to Announce Transfer of Detainees to Ill. Prison." The article begins, "Dozens of terrorism suspects being held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be moved to a little-used Illinois state prison that will be acquired and upgraded by the federal government, an Obama administration official said."

1. Challenge students to find ten interesting bits of information about the Guantanamo detention center. After students find this information, make a lit of interesting bits of information, on the board.

2. Do students think that the United States of America should arrest individuals who have the potential to commit terrorist acts against the United States, if they have not yet committed these acts? Why or why not?

3. Should non-citizens of the United States who have allegedly committed acts of terrorism against the United States be entitled to the same Constitutional protections as citizens of the United States who have broken the law? Why or why not? (Do non-citizens deserve the same rights as citizens? Why or why not?)

4. Do students think that detainees should be moved to United States soil? Why or why not? Consider the fact that this relocation will create approximately 3,000 jobs in the State of Illinois. Is it worth it? Why or why not?