If all Mexican immigrants learned to speak English would Americans be more welcoming to them?

Question

Is Language the only issue?

Answer 1

There is more than just the language issue.

And it does not only apply to Spanish speaking immigrants.

Unlike previous generations of immigrants that melted into American society, current immigrants don't want to become Americans, they just want the opportunities not the loyalties.

This can be shown by reading most current newspapers who run stories of immigrants who are afraid of being deported. A good many of these stories center around individuals who have been here through 2 amnesties opportunities, and chose not to become Americans. Showing their desire not to change their citizenship.

Ask Japanese Americans who came here before World War 2 and were so proud to be Americans they fought in the war against Japan. They thought of themselves as Americans first and only.

So when you see rallies for Mexicans wanting citizenship and they are waving a Mexican flag instead of an American flag, it is hard for Americans to think that having a population of 12-20+ million people who put their National loyalties elsewhere a good idea. No matter the language.

Answer 2

Well it's not just Mexican immigrants who come here who can't speak English. A lot of Asians, Europeans, and even some Africans don't speak English well when they come here.

I think it's mostly because a lot of the Mexicans came over illegally and so people find other things like that to be offensive about them. The American accent is like nowhere else in the world. All the cool sh it was say and how we talk is a result of different immigrants coming over and learning to communicate with each other. English is the first language here and people should learn it to communicate. I lived in a French speaking country for 3 years and I had to learn French but I welcomed the challenge. We have to look at the commonalities among ourselves and not just the differences in being welcoming to someone.

Answer 3

I have to agree with most of the people who posted here. The fact that many many Mexicans sneak across our borders ILLEGALLY is THE issue here.
Learning to speak the language is a great start but falls far short of becoming an American.
Legal immigrants who take the time and make the effort to be American I have great respect for. My wife is a legal immigrant working toward her citizenship.
However I am not in favor of the exportation of American "wealth". I am not saying any individual is making anyone else rich by sending money back to their country but when 12 million people are sending money out of the country it puts a strain on our economy.
The reason America always welcomed immigrants was for what the new arrivals brought to thew country and what they could do to make America a better place. But the perception of the Illegal Mexican is that of someone who makes America a little less great. With his blatant disregard for our boarders, laws, language, and national identity, Mexican Illegals will never ingratiate themselves to Americans. even if they stop saying "No Hablo"

Answer 4

Honey, don't be close minded and learn Spanish or any other language for your own knowledge not to make it easy for the illegals, what if you have an emergency or you get lost on the middle of the night and the only person able to help you doesn't speak English, how are you going to communicate? do you know that in most jobs right now the more languages you speak the more money you make? doesn't hurt to expand your tongue, most countries learn English besides other languages, so I don't see why, some people living in this great country don't want to see more than what their nose points.

Answer 5

It would be a good start. Buts its not the only issue. One issue is the fear of the large number of illegal immigrant coming in from Mexico. I have a problem because of the lack of control of the situation. WE do not know who is coming in. Some are good people, and some are criminals. We would want to screen all that come in to make sure we minimalize the ne'er do wells. Others has a problem with resources like cost to hospitals and the decrease in pay cause by excess workers. If the Mexican people are more willing to accomadate our concerns, I promise more people would support immigration.

Answer 6

No.Mass numbers of Immigrants were always looked down upon. An easy way to get an idea of how people looked at the English Speaking Irish in the 1800s watch the movie "Gangs of New York".

It was much worse than what was in the movie though. MUCH MUCH worse than what we see today with Mexicans.

Answer 7

Americans are the most welcoming and friendly people on earth. We only ask a few things:

1. Come here LEGALLY!
2. Assimilate into the American Culture IE: Learn English, get a job, pay taxes, obey our laws.
3. BECOME AN AMERICAN! and be damn Proud of it!

Answer 8

Most people I speak with no that we need them to fill certian sectors of jobs.

Most people would be happier and more accepting if they tried to integrate better. No one is saying they can't speak Spanish at home. But when they come to a store they need to ask for things in English (same for a drivers license).

But at the end of the day whatever is the mainstay of immigrant is usually the most looked down on. But those that refuse to integrate are always the most looked down on.

I know people from other Spanish speaking countries who look down on most Mexicans for refusing to intergrate.

Answer 9

Well first of all learning English is not easy my parents immigrated here 23 years ago from mexico and still don't know how to speak English why because it's freaking hard to learn it, and even if they learn it they will loose their cultural way of life, which I was born in USA but I don't consider my self to be an all time american, I like my mexican culture and I am proud of my roots especially the indigenous culture, sorry if I offended y'all americans but I don't consider to be culturally an american but I was born here so yea.

Answer 10

Yeah along with, being here legally, paying income taxes, getting LEGAL drivers licenses,not applying for every government benefit on the planet when there not here a month because I worked at WIC they didn't even need a Social Security card.Theyshould also arrest any job establishments for paying them cash because thats how they stay here illegally and don't pay taxes I know a place doing it right now.