Question

o ensure this isn’t a sham process, asylum officers and judges must be trained in child-sensitive interviewing techniques to help elicit information from fearful, traumatized youngsters. All children must also be represented by a volunteer or government-funded lawyer. Kids in Need of Defense, a nonprofit that recruits pro bono lawyers to represent immigrant children and whose board I serve on, estimates that 40 percent to 60 percent of these children potentially qualify to stay under current immigration laws—and do, if they have a lawyer by their side. The vast majority do not. The only way to ensure we are not hurtling children back to circumstances that could cost them their lives is by providing them with real due process.

—“The Children of the Drug Wars,”

Sonia Nazario

Which words or phrases from the passage have strong connotations that support the author’s purpose? Check all that apply.

“sham process”
“fearful, traumatized youngsters”
“government-funded lawyer”
“represent immigrant children”
“under current immigration laws”
“hurtling children back”

Answer 1

Selections:
- “sham process” — strong negative connotation; suggests fraud and unfairness.
- “fearful, traumatized youngsters” — emotionally charged; evokes sympathy and vulnerability.
- “hurtling children back” — vivid, ominous phrasing implying danger and lack of control.

Not selected (more neutral/technical): “government-funded lawyer,” “represent immigrant children,” “under current immigration laws.”