The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a proposal for a reality TV show where immigrants would compete in challenges based on American traditions and values for a chance to earn U.S. citizenship. The idea, pitched by producer Rob Worsoff, would involve contests like launching a rocket at NASA or answering trivia about American civics, with the season ending in a naturalization ceremony for the winner. Worsoff, who became a U.S. citizen himself, said the show is meant to celebrate what it means to be American and remind people that citizenship is a privilege. He emphasized that participants wouldn’t face deportation or harm to their immigration status. DHS has not approved the idea but said it reviews many “out-of-the-box” pitches each year. The proposal comes as the agency under Secretary Kristi Noem has leaned into media projects to highlight immigration policy. The concept has sparked debate about how serious topics like immigration should be treated, with some seeing it as a way to humanize immigrants and others criticizing it as entertainment at the expense of complex real-world issues. After reading the article, write a paragraph explaining whether you think turning immigration and citizenship into a reality TV show is a good idea or not. Consider both the potential benefits and the risks. For example, could it help people better understand immigrants’ experiences, or does it oversimplify a serious issue?

2. BUDGET VOTE BUST

House Republicans suffered a major defeat when their massive tax break and spending cut bill, nicknamed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, failed to pass a key committee vote. The bill, backed by President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, was blocked by both Democrats and a group of conservative Republicans. Conservatives demanded deeper cuts to programs like Medicaid and food assistance, and they objected to parts of Trump’s plan they say would increase the national debt. Meanwhile, Republicans from high-tax states want a larger tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT), which could further drive up the bill’s cost. The 1,100-page bill includes tax cuts for workers and families, extra money for Trump’s immigration policies, and major rollbacks of Biden-era climate incentives. But critics warn that millions of Americans could lose health and food benefits if it passes. Lawmakers will keep negotiating before trying another vote. Write a brief response to the following question: Should Congress pass a bill that gives tax breaks but also cuts programs like Medicaid and food stamps? In your answer, explain at least one reason for and one reason against this kind of tradeoff. Use what you’ve learned from the article to support your opinion.

President Trump criticized Walmart this weekend after the company said his tariffs could force them to raise prices. On his social media platform, Trump claimed Walmart makes enough money to cover the cost increases and shouldn’t pass them on to customers. He told the company to “EAT THE TARIFFS.” Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., said it would try to keep prices low but couldn’t absorb all the added costs. About one-third of its products come from other countries, especially China and Mexico, where the new tariffs are hitting hardest. Although Walmart is better protected than some retailers because it sells many U.S.-sourced groceries, company officials said the pressure is real. Economists say this outcome was expected: businesses facing higher import taxes often have to raise prices or cut jobs. Trump recently lowered tariffs on Chinese goods after pushing them as high as 145%, but many are still in place. The back-and-forth with China and other countries has shaken the global economy. While Trump claims tariffs are a tool to protect the U.S. and get better trade deals, experts worry about the long-term impact on prices, jobs, and global trade relationships. Imagine you’re a policy advisor working for the president or a business like Walmart. Write a short paragraph explaining whether you think businesses should be required to absorb the cost of tariffs, or if it’s reasonable for them to raise prices. Support your answer with at least one reason from the article and one real-world example you’ve seen or experienced (like rising grocery or gas prices). Then, discuss with a classmate: Should the government use tariffs to influence international trade, even if it means things might get more expensive at home? Why or why not?

Federal courts are pushing back against President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies by emphasizing one key principle: immigrants, even those facing deportation, have the right to due process. This means they must be given a fair chance to challenge their removal in court before being sent out of the country. The Supreme Court recently criticized the Trump administration for trying to deport a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas with only a day’s notice and no clear explanation of how to fight the decision. Justices said this violated basic legal protections guaranteed by the Constitution. Across the country, similar rulings are happening. In Boston, a federal court said the government must give immigrants a 15-day warning before deporting them to countries where they might be in danger. Another court case involved a man who was deported to El Salvador despite a judge’s order not to. Even now, officials haven’t brought him back, which the courts say defies the rule of law. While the Trump administration argues that holding trials for millions of undocumented immigrants is unrealistic, legal experts and judges say cutting corners on rights is not acceptable. They stress that due process is a constitutional protection for all “persons,” not just U.S. citizens. Courts are making it clear: following the law matters, even in immigration. First, write a short paragraph explaining why courts believe due process is important, even for immigrants. Use at least one example from the article, such as the Supreme Court ruling about deporting Venezuelan immigrants with only one day’s notice. Then, consider this question: Should people who are not U.S. citizens still be protected by the Constitution when they are in the United States? Write a second paragraph with your opinion and back it up with reasoning.

5. CHATBOT MALFUNCTION

This week, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, started acting very strangely. Instead of answering questions normally, it began obsessively bringing up “white genocide” in South Africa—even when asked unrelated things like sports scores or photos of dogs. The bizarre glitch led to public confusion and criticism, with many wondering what caused it. Eventually, Grok seemed to admit it had been told to treat the idea of white genocide as real, even though most experts reject that claim as misinformation. This episode reveals deeper issues with how AI works. Unlike traditional programs, chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT are powered by enormous language models that generate answers based on patterns in data. Their behavior can be unpredictable—even to their creators. Some believe a hidden system prompt or unauthorized tweak caused Grok’s shift, but others warn that it could have simply invented a convincing explanation out of thin air, which AI tools are known to do. The story raises serious concerns about how easily these tools can spread misinformation, how hard it is to verify what they say, and how much power lies in the hands of a few companies or individuals. It also reminds us that while AI may sound human, it isn’t, and we shouldn’t blindly trust what it tells us. After reading the article, write a short reflection on the risks and responsibilities involved in using AI chatbots like Grok. Do you think it’s dangerous for a chatbot to give false or misleading answers, even by accident? Why or why not? Then, consider how AI could be used more safely: what kind of rules, limits, or warnings should companies include when people interact with these tools? Finally, write one question you would ask Grok or another AI chatbot and explain how you would check if its answer was reliable.