New
New
Year 9

What are the benefits and drawbacks of controlling immigration?

I can explain what immigration control means, why countries do it and the different effects it can have.

New
New
Year 9

What are the benefits and drawbacks of controlling immigration?

I can explain what immigration control means, why countries do it and the different effects it can have.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Immigration is when people move to a country to live there. Emigration is when people move out of a country.
  2. Immigration control refers to the ways countries manage and limit who can enter, stay or settle.
  3. Immigration control is beneficial for planning, safety and services.
  4. Its drawbacks include long delays, labour shortages and the risk of treating people unfairly.
  5. Decisions about immigration involve complex matters, and it is likely that the debate will continue for some time.

Keywords

  • Immigration - the process of people moving from one country to another to live and work

  • Emigration - leaving or exiting a country in order to live and settle abroad

Common misconception

Immigration control means stopping all immigration.

Immigration control does not mean stopping all immigration. It means managing who can come, when and why, using systems like visas, border checks and rules. The aim is to make immigration fair, safe and planned, not to block everyone from entering.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: What are the benefits and drawbacks of controlling immigration?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to explore both sides of immigration control using real-world examples. Focus on how it affects different people and services. Promote empathy and critical thinking, and remind pupils that immigration laws change over time and depend on context.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its correct definition.

Correct Answer:rights,something we are entitled to by law

something we are entitled to by law

Correct Answer:migration,the movement of people from one place to another

the movement of people from one place to another

Correct Answer:climate change,long-term weather changes, often from human actions like pollution

long-term weather changes, often from human actions like pollution

Q2.
What does the acronym UNCRC stand for?

Correct answer: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
United Nations Council for Refugee Children
Universal Network for Cultural Rights and Children
United Nations Children’s Relief Coalition
Universal Network for Child Rehabilitation Care

Q3.
Complete this sentence: Climate change is becoming a growing factor for migration, forcing people to leave their homes.

Correct Answer: push

Q4.
Why do many climate refugees face challenges when migrating?

Correct answer: they are not legally recognised as refugees
they refuse to follow migration rules
they receive full government support when migrating
they are officially recognised as refugees by law

Q5.
Complete the sentence: Migration often involves big changes to daily life; this can impact a person's and sense of belonging.

Correct Answer: identity

Q6.
Which is true about why people migrate?

People only migrate to escape danger or disasters.
Correct answer: Migration can be both forced and voluntary for many reasons.
Migration happens only when people want a different lifestyle.
Migration always means running from a bad situation.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its definition.

Correct Answer:immigration,the process of people moving from one country to another to live/work

the process of people moving from one country to another to live/work

Correct Answer:emmigration,leaving or exiting a country in order to live and settle abroad

leaving or exiting a country in order to live and settle abroad

Correct Answer:migration,the movement of people from one place to another

the movement of people from one place to another

Q2.
What two word term describes how countries manage who can enter and stay?

Correct Answer: immigration control

Q3.
Which of these is a possible drawback of controlling who immigrates to a country?

It helps plan public services better.
Correct answer: It can cause long delays for migrants.
It improves safety in communities.

Q4.
What does managing who can enter a country usually involve?

completely stopping all immigration
Correct answer: deciding who can come, when and why
letting everyone enter without checks
ignoring border rules and systems

Q5.
What two word term is this describing? is the difference between the number of people moving into a country and those leaving it over a certain time.

Correct Answer: Net migration

Q6.
What does deportation mean?

choosing to move to a new country
getting permission to stay in a new country
visiting another country for a short time
Correct answer: being forced to leave a country, usually returning home