Why can't we simply have US standards?

Question

Why can't the US simply apply standards to the immigrants? Like if they are coming here, they should learn English, be legal, have to conform to our society as a whole, instead of separating theirselves from us. I have no problem learning about other cultures but I don't feel it is necessary for them to bring ALL of their customs here and have to be able to sue others for not conforming or not accepting it. They need to become a part of us, we cannot become a part of them.

Answer 1

Many do want to assimilate, it just takes time....The children of these immigrants, tend for the most part, to assimilate completely....

Most new immigrants feel intimidated by coming to the US....Its a new land, new culture, new language, most just feel safe staying the way they are....But their children, do become Americanized...

Answer 2

I'm 100% agree with you. They should learn English if they decide this is going to be settle here instead of making us learning Spanish. Everywhere we go nowaday let's say to the mall, the door signs have both languages English and Spanish. What's that all about? I can understand that the old generations are having a difficult time adapting a new culture and a new language; however, some of them have been in their teenage years and can't even speak, write, or read correctly in English. Don't get me wrong, I have great affinity for all cultures and am open minded and respect for ethnic diversity but we are living in a society where English is primary language. Hence, learning English is a way of appreciation for the American culture instead of us translating into other native languages.

Answer 3

You're right, balkanization within our country just can't be tolerated, if they really really want to come to our country, that means assimilate, try and learn the language, etc. I think we've spent too much time on multiculturalism, and not enough time on deciding what the hell OUR culture is, which is a brain-bender because we've got influences from around the world in our very formation as a country.

I still think english should feature pretty prominently, with online translation there's no excuse for people claiming they don't understand...and the lawsuit business, that's just plain stupidity and a lack of clear-headedness on the part of government types who're either not paying attention to doing their jobs, or just don't 'get it'...

There's laws and standards regarding immigration, and they need to be upheld and if need be, enforced. America rocks, the countries they come from apparently do NOT rock, or they wouldn't be emigrating to begin with.

Answer 4

WOW, this may be a long shot, but unless you are Native American or Mexican your family were originally immigrants. Were they English? Then they spoke english. Maybe German, Italian, or French? They probably had to learn english when they came here to this great country. We are the land of the FREE and the home of the brave. Please don't help to spread the ignorance. We already have countries in line for that award. I'm pretty sure Mexico was here before the U.S..
Conform to our society as a whole? Americans don't even do that. There are nerds, jocks, goth, and preps in our high schools. We have multiple religions and ethnic backgrounds. How can a group of people be asked to conform to a society that is so multi-faceted itself?
Your question and statement just prove how ignorant people can be :)

Answer 5

If I decided to live in France, Italy or Spain, say, I would expect to learn the language in order to communicate and succeed in that country. Up until very recently, immigrants to the United States understood that the key to their success was to learn the English language and comply to US laws, rather than the customs of the country they left. The relatives in my family tree came here from France, Canada, Ireland and Germany at various times and they all assimilated and succeeded. As recently as the early 1960's, my ex-husband's family came here from Poland and learning English was their first priority. All five kids are successful, productive adults now with children of their own who have gone on to be even more successful. By not requiring more recent immigrants to learn English, we are keeping them in an educational and employment ghetto that we must pay for through welfare, English as a Second Language classes, etc.

Answer 6

That sounds fine and dandy, but remember we are the U.S. Something simple turns into a countrywide talked about political event. I agree that other cultures are interesting in their native state. What I disagree about the most is their excuse for coming here in the first place. They say they do the jobs that Americans will not do. That is incorrect. They do the jobs that Americans cannot afford to do because we have expenses and family that need support and the market does not pay enough to provide that support. But I do recall seeing many shelters full of people in need of work.

Answer 7

If you live in USA, UK..or any other preominently English-spoken country, you MUST learn English. I mean, if you visit a non-English speaking country for non-tourist purposes without knowing the native lingo, you are totally and absolutely ****ed. Any immigrant refusing to learn the lingo or respect the host culture (they do not have to accept the culture, but must accept the fact they cannot change the host culture) must be sent back.

Answer 8

Yes . You ae correct....! A decade ago to learn English, you had to attend costly English classes or purchase course material like tapes and books. Now you can learn English for free from the comfort of your home using the Internet. The BBC and the British Council offer a number of on line courses, which teach written and spoken English. You can also improve your English by watching television programs and reading English newspapers. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/qnzpt

Answer 9

http://immigration.findlaw.com/?DCMP=KWC-G-PUBLIC

http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Immigration

http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty17.htm
LOSING OUR COUNTRY BY LOSING OUR LANGUAGE: PART I

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/citizenship/becoming.htm#Naturalization:%20Becoming%20A%20Citizen
Somethings there are worth the read.. such as:
Requirements for Naturalization
The general requirements for naturalization are:
1. Live in the U.S. as a permanent resident for a specific amount of time (Continuous Residence).
2. Be present in the U.S. for specific time periods (Physical Presence).
3. Spend specific amounts of time in your state or district (Time in District or State).
4. Behave in a legal and acceptable manner (Good Moral Character).
5. Know English and information about U.S. history and government (English and Civics).
6. Understand and accept the principles of the U.S. Constitution (Attachment to the Constitution).
If this is the case, why is our government willing to just wave their hand in the air and say: PING! You're now US Citizens..
I know it hasn't happened, yet, or recently.. but it did happen some 20 years ago or so.. Then all that free money was given to begin their new life.. Excuse me?!

People, we need to take a stand, and do more than just sit here and talk about this. Things are way out of hand here, don't you agree..

Answer 10

I agree with what batgirl says. Is there really such a thing as a mainstream society in there? I suggest you go look up the history of the US first. Besides, with all that globalization thing going on, do people really expect some sort of "culture uniformity" to take place in countries nowadays? Besides, if that's the case, then the same courtesy should be done by US to other countries and not think that their standard fits all.

Answer 11

Nobody has any right to force them to learn English. Although most find it infinitely useful to learn it early on, there is no law mandating them to learn English.

Conform to our society as a whole? Don't we have freedom of speech/expression/religion in the US? Nobody can be forced to "conform to society" except in a dictatorship (unless you mean obeying the laws, in which case, of course they have to conform to society).