I used to think, “Whatever, if they want to continue speaking their language, so be it; they just won’t get ahead in America outside of their little neighborhood.”
Now I’m thinking that America is toast if this continues. I guess I was expecting that 1st - 2nd generation would begin integrating speaking English and making something of themselves. I was wrong.
Your expectation would have been right if we were absorbing small numbers of immigrants. We're actually experiencing a tsunami of immigration unprecedented in history. Around 25% of Mexico's population has relocated here.
Not even during the "golden age" of 19th century immigration did we absorb so many foreigners. Small numbers of them form enclaves that eventually assimilate. Larger numbers form parallel societies that will never assimilate, even after generations.