Lack of assimilation was true for nearly all immigrant groups during the First Great Wave of Immigration (1880-1914).

Most Americans don't understand that because they hear so much about how well that Great Wave of Europeans assimilated. What most Americans, most journalists and most think tankers and scholars fail to notice is that the assimilation happened in earnest AFTER immigration numbers were reduced by half to three-quarters.

I DON'T BLAME THE LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS FOR LACK OF IDENTIFICATION WITH U.S.

I told a California reporter asking about this poll that I do not blame the Latin American "millennials" for their lack of identification with the U.S. and their signs of lack of assimilation.

I don't blame their parents either.

I blame Congress!

The Latin American immigrants are acting like almost all immigrants do in any country that allows giant waves of a particular ethnicity, culture or national origin over a sustained period of time. It is very, very difficult to truly assimilate and identify with the country of your residence when that country continues to pour more giant waves of your home countrymen into your communities.

The Germans, Italians, Balkans, etc. couldn't truly assimilate a century ago until Congress dramatically reduced the flow of new immigration from their countries.

That is going to be even more true today when immigrants have constant access to their old language and culture through TV networks, other entertainment and cheap, safe, easy transportation back and forth to their old countries.

The fact that most of these young immigrant-stock members of our society don't identify more strongly as fellow Americans is cause for some alarm.

It was cause for great alarm a century ago.

But shortly after a century ago, Congress passed laws to bring immigration numbers back down to a constructive level.

Until Congress does the same thing again, I'm afraid we are going to see a larger and larger proportion of our population failing to fully identify with our country

 

 

Right again Herb.

 

I am gona have to disagree a little bit here, back during the first great wave of immigration many immigrants moved into areas that had others like them. Examples would be in cities you have Italian, Irish and Russian neighborhoods. The Germans went a step further and started there own towns where everything in the town was done as before in Germany. So many of the original immigrants did not assimilate to American culture, but their children did, remember there was no internet or television, therefore there was no easy and fast way to stay in contact with what was going on in the country that their family came from. And yes America was successfully able to restrict the flow of immigrants by cutting the number of people allowed in each year. Now fast forward to today anyone from Mexico looking to come into America has two choices, do it legally, or illegally. So America can say it will only take X amount of Mexicans a year, and the one that are left can just find alternate ways into the country. Now this is where I agree with you Handymanherb, now there is no reason to assimilate into American culture, our Government never made English the official language of the country. Just about everywhere you go you will find someone that speaks Spanish or the menu, catalog or television show will be in Spanish. Then coupled with modern technology it is extremely easy for one to stay up to date with topics in there home country, so many of these immigrants legal or illegal do not face that much pressure to completely assimilate. Even their children can go to school and study the same information as the other kids with Spanish. And there are whole areas that are Spanish, Im not saying anything is wrong with these areas, but if your Spanish and you live in that area you see more of a Spanish influence then an American influence on your life. So really we need to protect the border so people can not come in as they please, then from there decide what will be done with the people that are already here.

 

Wasn't that the whole point, the reason their kids assimilated we limited all immigration, and we should be English only but we didn't want to insult anyone.

The Germans, Italians, Balkans, etc. couldn't or wouldn't truly assimilate a century ago until Congress dramatically reduced the flow of new immigration from their countries.

 

Those people then came here for a different reason as well. They came here to leave oppression and start a new life. They were willing to roll up their sleeves and go to work and make a better life for their kids and provide a better oppotunity for their family that wouldn't be possible back in their "home" country. They wanted to fit in and assimilate but it was hard to do with the language barrier so they stuck with their own so they could set up shops and businesses and give their kids a better chance while they learned the language and how to fit in. I'll never fault anyone for wanting to know their heritage and wanting to practice their customs. I wish I knew more and did more German customs but I am an American first and that's what they need to be taught. Don't lose where you came from but you came here to better yourself (not on the tax payers back either) so you left for a reason. Embrace your new country but no one has ever asked to forget where you came from.

 

I don't agree with those arguments.
the german government sends a lot of soldiers into the US every year to train them.
Even the english language level is high by school education they train each soldier individual up to a half year to make him able to survive under real world situations.

It really shocked me to see that it is better to have spanish language skills in the South of Texas and New Mexico.
As a result of that I had to learn spanish basics in a Community college too. What is that for a country when you go shop and can't understand the cashier only beeing able to talk spanish.
Immigrants in Germany have to pass language school to avoid that problem and to make them fit better into the community now.

 

And I would expect that moving to another country....If I were to go to Germany I would take some classes to learn the language.....enough to communicate and get what I needed but I feel it's a sign of respect for where you are going to learn their language and if you are moving there you need to learn it and be fluent in it. Also I feel you shouldn't move somewhere and then claim you are offended by their local customs. That crap happens here all the time....Politcial Correctness is the true downfall of society.

 

I call it Multi Kulti Crap.
It goes on my nerves to hear that loud anoying Yallahyallah crap in every corner.
They do nothing to integrate themself into the community other than holding their hands up to get social welfare. They have their own community, their own church and give a damn about everything.
I don't go against their personal freedom and freedom of religion and everything provided by our constiution. But I expect integration and they give a s... .

I wouldn't expect from you being able to talk german, why should I? I'm able to understand you. But do you understand arabic? No? Do you understand their culture? No? So do I.
Our cultures are close-not the same, but close too.
Theirs is totally different and thats the major problem.

 

It's great to hear that we're not the only ones who feel this way about this issue. It's almost taboo to talk about it too because of the forced political correctness.

With these people, this is one area where I feel assimilation should be forced, and diversity should not be embraced. Our country, our rules. Abide! I don't mind immigration, it's necessary and not a bad thing, but when groups start coming here and bringing radical traditions such as "honour killings" into my freaking country, these people without question should be deported.