Why won't today's immigrants assimilate and learn English like previous generations of immigrants did?

Question

"The new immigration as a class is far less intelligent than the old...Generally speaking they are actuated in coming by different ideals, for the old immigration came to be part of the country, while the new, in a large measure, comes with the intention of profiting, in a pecuniary way, by the superior advantages of the new world and then returning to the old country."
The Dillingham Report
1911
The report goes on to fault the new immigrants (from southern and eastern Europe) for lack of assimilation and English skills and urges a clampdown on immigration.

Hey, those were my grandparents!!! Were they yours?!??!?

Kat fish, you come closest to getting it, even though you veer perilously close to reverse racism. I'm not an anit-immigrant racist like half of the respondents (Get lives, folks). Just trying to show that the same hateful stuff was said a century ago--including the stuff about not wanting to work and being criminals--about white people's families. Question to all immigrant-haters: what American Indian tribe do you belong to? If you don't belong to one shut up; you're an immigrant, too. And today's immigrants work just as hard, so shut up again. don't you have a klna meeting to go to???

That's KLAN meeting,haters!!!

Answer 1

It's not so much that they won't learn English, immigrants of years gone by usually only learned broken conversational English at best with each successive generation learning more English and forgetting more of the "old-country" language, the problem is there are no controls on the unprecedented flow of Mexican immigration.

Answer 2

Learning a new language takes time. Not everyone has the same time, need, interest and even IQ.
I am an immigrant myself and so is all of my family. For all of us, spanish is our primary language. I learned English, but I am also interested in learning other languages. I learned a little bit of Italian, French and have all what I need to also learn German. But that is me, I like learning new stuff. For some of my family members, time has been an issue. Unfortunately, when you come to this country, not everyone gets to work in an easy job where you go home and relax and get to have all of your finances in place. Many immigrants struggle with finances, health, family situations and don't see learning a new language as a priority. Others, since they don't have to, don't do it. Learning a new language is very challenging. Grammar is not everybody's strenght. I would say that it took me more than five years to call myself fluent. One interesting factor is that even now that I am fluent, I still have people being demeaning because I have an accent and the cultural differences are still there. Not because you learned a new language means that you belong to that new culture or that the people from that culture will accept you. I guess that is discouraging too. The prejudice that spanish speaking immigrants go through won't really change much after they have learned the language.

Answer 3

The first generation of immigrants typically form enclaves where they can get by with thier native language, and it's thier children who really assimilate. Some such enclaves, like the various 'Chinatowns' survive for multiple generations, either due to relative lack of assimilation, or continued immigration - but, most of the children born in those enclaves tend to move out and assimilate.

The tendency to form enclaves and resist assimilation is greater the larger the number of immigrants from a single culture. In the 19th century, there was a great deal of concern about the Chinese, for instance, because they were arriving in great numbers, and were forming enclaves rather than assimilating. Today, there is similar concern over the influx of illegal immigrants, the majority of whom come from spanish-speaking countries in this hemisphere.

You might say "well, the Chinese didn't take over, so those concerns must be unfounded." The Chinese, however, faced challenges - open racism, discriminatory laws, etc - that immigrants today do not. Today's concerns must be addressed differently than they were in generations past, but they still need to be addressed.

Answer 4

I think it's because the Constitution didn't make English the official language of the United States. When I moved to Chile (where I still am today), the first thing I wanted to do is get used to the country. I learned about the country and its customs. I also learned to speak and read in Spanish, although I'll admit I had a very hard time with my accent at the beginning. Now I can speak Spanish quicker (and obviously my mother tounge, English) and I assimilated to Chile (but I will come back to the States soon). You see, it's not that hard to get used to another country's culture. Thanks!

Answer 5

Yeah they were my grandparents too. but my grandparents were willing to work hard, earn their own money, not expect a foreign government to support them, and were willing to learn English and eager to teach their children English as soon as possible. These mexican just don't care they are here for everything we have worked hard for over the last several generations of our families. They want it right away.

Additions: I think I was just called a Klan member? Just because there are people in this country who have views on other races that may not be completly PC, doesn't mean we are Klan members or even racist. I have no problem with immigrants who come to this country, legally first, and who are willing to work hard to better their lives second. But don't come to my country and expect all the freedoms and benifits we have to offer without doing a thing to help. That goes for the people who live in this country already and do not do anything. Like those who abuse the welfare system, it was meant to be a crutch not a wheel chair. The point is people are scared to open their mouths anymore for fear of being poilitically incorrect. Look at Imus. He was fired over one stupid mistake, while Jesse Jackson can stand on a podium with prewritten slander and get away with it. why because he is black and people are afraid to say anything. If Mexicans want to fly their flag on Pennsylvania avenue the day after the gay pride parade and the day before the million man march let them. That is what this country is all about. But don't step on my toes for being who I am. My opinons are mine and I have a right to say whatever I want without being deemed a radical racist. In truth, your opinion of us being Klan members is nothing above stereotypical itself. Anyone who has a slightly off PC opinion must be a racist or even better a full fledged member of the KKK. Fourty years ago you may have even called me a communist. So if you can't handle the honest answers to your own question bite your tounge and save the rest of us the trouble of enuring your ignorance.

Answer 6

Because, unlike past immigrants, this generation finds it easier than ever to maintain close ties to where they came from.

You can call just about anywhere for pennies per minute. When my wife immigrated, legally, in 1978 it cost $12 for the first 3 minutes and then $4 a minute forward to call overseas. They've got instant email. Jet travel has never been cheaper. Satellite brings foreign TV channels right into people's living rooms.

When Don Juan's (two posts below me) conquistador ancestors came to this part of the world their leader had them burn the ships. Their only choice was to slaughter millions of peaceful South and Central American natives or die in the process.

Answer 7

There are too many people like themselves here already. Why learn English when 90% of your community speaks Spanish? Immigrants assimilate faster when they come in smaller numbers.

Answer 8

The reason that immigrants don't assimilate is because Liberals love to embrace "diversity". As long as there is an ACLU then there will never be a truly United States. Diversity is the opposite of unity. As long as there is diversity then immigrants will never have to assimilate into our culture.

Answer 9

Previous immigrants were here legally and wanted to be part of the US.

Illegals hate the idea of America and are here only to make money and send it back home to the fetid sewers where they came from. They only want handouts and power.

Oh yes and to rape pillage and destroy all at our expense. Check out NJ and the executions or the machete wielder in today's news.

Answer 10

If you are talking about the Mexicans....they think we stole part of their country. So why should they learn English when we Americans are living on their land? That being said, they are quick to expect you to know spanish when you go into their country. Hypocrites.

They do not want to learn English because they expect to make American into Mexico...look out Canada...you are next on the list!