Why aren't immigrants assimilating like they used to?

danielseti

coming from Indonesia I totally am disgusted at how immigrants treat this country. It makes absolutely no sense for all of us to learn and speak every single language each culture has brought to America. I don't know about you but it's going to take a lot of time and effort to speak all 100 plus languages that arrive on these shores. It would make much more sense if everyone learned one universal language ex. English. Saying otherwise in my opinion is Anti American as America can not possibly stand with tiny pockets of cultures here and there. These Immigrants might as well make their own country here as I see it no differently. This is the UNITED states of America. Therefore we ought to be UNITED.

Zoe

In fact, most Mexicans come here with the express purpose of either working to save enough money to eventually move back to Mexico and retire or working to send money back home to their families. Becoming Americans is the last thing on their minds, their loyalty to their home nation never wavering. What usually happens is that they get settled here and lose interest in returning to Mexico, but their language/culture/national loyalties remain unchanged.
Illegal aliens do not want to learn our language, they do not want to obey our laws and they don't want to become Americans. They don't respect our flag.The question we should ask our Mexican immigrant friends is, are you assimilating or invading?

mattzcoz

Historically, immigrants do not assimilate all that much, and not quickly. Cultures tend to seek comfort in what they're used to, and it doesn't matter if you're talking Puritans, Germans, Scots, Poles, Mexicans, Chinese, or whatever. Like cleaves to like.

A close similarity between blending cultures improves the speed of assimilation.

Various laws in the gaining society will affect the rate at which assimilation occurs (e.g. - mandatory schooling in dominant language for school-aged children).

buddafly_2

I think the US encourages them not to!

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907

TDub

Because, honestly, they don't have to.

Everyting has been made so politically correct and we seem to be afraid of encouraging American culture because someone may be "offended" (heaven for bid!). Not to mention that bi-lingual education in schools doesn't mandate students even learn English.

Along with those ideas, there truly seems to be a sense of entitlement and the feeling that we, as Americans, need to adapt to every other culture that comes here, rather then their cultures adapting to ours. Everyone is so quick to jump on the "I have rights" bandwagon, but I believe certain rights need to come with citizenship.

Crazybird

Coz they don't think they have to. It's the same problem in Europe. They don't seem to have any inclination to become a part of anything except to get freebies and money. It's a sad situation.

mr_white_the_secure_american

IMMIGRANTS do. That is why they come here LEGALLY.

you are talking about illegal aliens.

They are not assimilating because they have no respect for America or our laws.

cool.panamania

There are many agencies that cater to them while basically telling them they don't have to. Twenty some years ago,these advocacy groups were few and far between. Some people are so quick to cry "discrimination" that ,many are reluctant to address the issue.I have no problem with immigrants gravitating towards their own communities,but I do have a problem with people who refuse to learn English.

3D Farms

The ones that used to come here wanted to live here , assimilate and become American citizens . Today they only come here to get free all the health care , education and make money to send home .
We as taxpayers , are subsidizing Mexico , to the tune of $20 billion a years .
They are now being told by LaRaza the Southwest belongs to you the Mexican People and if enough of you cross into that , they'll be able to take it back .
They are coming into America to take it over . Just read some of the answers and questions on here .
They actually believe that they have the same rights that legal Americans have and they are told to come here and get them .
Just what do you think is going to happen if and when Bush gets the NAU and the NAFTA Super Highway done . It goes from Mexico to Canada with the only stop being in KC , KS . That's at a Port under Mexico Sovereignty in the US . Now I ask you is that right ????
Where is no American Culture , but there is The American Creed . ( look it up )

Caninelegion

Our governments are codling them too much. In the past, the character of the individual immigrant was the key for success of future generations. How can a culture assimilate into another when the host culture practices "multiculturalism"? The answer is that reverse assimilation occurs.

Godly Reality Check

Because soft hearts are letting them get away with it.

JUSTME

They don't have to. They don't plan on staying here anyway....

houstonpackard

The longer they resist assimilation and become taxpayers, the longer they can remain on public dole. This however refers only to the illegal aliens, as those whom take the legal course are anxious to win their American citizenships. The legals were probably good citizens in the home countries and just want to improve their opportunities, and the illegals, still lazy cons after all these years aren't going to change their stripes.

Siervocal

There is definitely a decrease in assimilation cases today, but this is not particular to our generation. Irish people who came from the countryside sometimes didn't speak English and neither did Italians, and they were also criticized for "not assimilating." It is nonsense to say that this characteristic is only of today's immigrants. This phenomenon occurs when a large wave of immigrants arrives in the country, since by having each other as compatriots, they can build their own communities with their own language and their own businesses without having to worry about learning the new language. It is the opposite when an immigrant from a country where not many people come from arrives, since he/she finds himself/herself in a situation where he/she feels obligated to learn. My experience is that when I came to the United States and didn't speak any English, I went to an almost all-white school so I HAD to learn English. I have a friend that came at the same time I did and the same age but barely speaks the language since he found way more Hispanics in his school.

Irene F

I don't think things have changed. I think perceptions have. Several of my immigrant relatives never learned English. They depended on the younger members of the family.

Learning a language as an adult is hard work, and many immigrants have jobs and families and don't have the time or money to take English classes. The kids go to school, learn English, and assimilate.

loretta

they (illegals) think they own this country. either they can go along with the flow or go home.

reformed

They are using our own political correctness against us. They no longer see a need. They can simply yell discrimination anytime someone demands they speak English, or work for a living. Today's immigrants are a far cry from the immigrants of yesterday that appreciated the opportunity that exists in America to be all they choose to be. The old immigrants came to make life better for their family, and their community better for all. The Mexican plague now invading our country simply seeks to take all they can get while giving nothing but crime and automobile accidents by uninsured drivers back.

Boricuoso

Because United States are not as strict on its laws anymore

Michael E

Wow. I wasn't aware little haiti, little havana, chinatown were all created in the last 20 years....

Dreaming Free

Too many have gotten by without doing it and reaping the
rewards.

OkieBoy

The democrats say they don't have too, we should all learn spanish.

shoshone

Arrogance, disrespect, ignorance...take your pick.

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