The Assimilation Factor

NY Sun ^ | May 13, 2008 | HOWARD HUSOCK

[neverdem]

Public concern about the impact of new immigration on America has reached a pitch not seen since the early 20th century. Americans have experienced an immigration surge unprecedented in their lifetimes. This is an unsurprising coincidence in light of the fact that our immigrant population of 37 million is, in absolute numbers, greater than it has been at any time in our history. It’s nearly as large a percentage, 12.5%, of the population as it was at its historic peak at 14.5% in 1890. Today, there are more immigrants from Mexico than there were foreign-born residents from all countries in 1970.

Most of the debate over immigration has focused on whom we admit and why, and why our border control is so ineffective. At least nine million immigrants are here illegally, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

It is a mistake, though, to think that Americans are more worried about who has a green card than they are about immigrant assimilation, a less discussed matter. The idea that immigrants should, and can, become Americans has been a powerful one, a reflection of the fact that ours is a society based on values and laws, rather than a single faith and a common blood.

Lately, discussing immigrant assimilation has become less than acceptable in polite company out of a concern that assimilation imposes Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture on others. But the majority thinks that newcomers should learn English, which is endorsed by 87% of Americans in one Rasmussen survey, and become American citizens. This makes clear that, notwithstanding the affection for multiculturalism among elites, average Americans still believe in the melting pot.

But is the melting pot still working? A new Manhattan Institute report by an economist at Duke University Jacob Vigdor, “Measuring Immigrant Assimilation,” uses Census data to determine how similar...

[RC2]

So what is your government going to do about it? Absolutely nothing folks.....get use to it. They could shut the border down any time they wanted to......they just don’t want to.

[yldstrk]

Assimilate you freaks.

[Salvey]

All those new RAT voters, just salivating at the thought of stripping the producing class of their assets.

[budwiesest]

We can’t bemoan low levels of immigrant assimilation if 21st century America’s most fortunate lack the cultural self-confidence to promote it.

Cultural self-confidence. Hadn't thought about that much, but without it, we'd be hard-pressed to have accomplished what we have without it: namely, personal liberty.

When immigrants assimilate one thing they ought to digest is this: we are a free country but you must at all times respect the other person's freedoms and act accordingly.

For those living 'hand-to-mouth', this concept is lost. For those living 'paycheck-to-paycheck', it is losing it's lustre. The 'elites' who have won life's lottery couldn't care- and why should they?

Though the number of illegals in-country is astounding, it is our single act of devotion to individual liberty amongst a sea of tyranny and dictatorships that should stand out. What I'm witnessing among new immigrants (Mexican, Ukranian, etc.) is a lack of respect for the rights of others combined with a selfish desire for quick riches: drug sales, gang affiliation, etc. Like children no-longer under the watchful eye of the 'state', acting out.

Trouble is, they'll be encouraging the 'state' to act in ways not compatible with our constitution, if they aren't already. Call this "immigrant blowback"- they come in (or we let them) and reduce our lifestyle to that which they left behind (reverse assimilation) due to the fact they have no idea what it means to be an American.

We will be the new 'assimilators' in our own country. Our 'elected' couldn't care. Why should they?

[Travis McGee]

Aprenda espanol hoy, evite la prisa manana.

[budwiesest]

They could shut the border down any time they wanted to......

Truer words never spoken. Our Marines would get it done tomorrow if the will were there.

[fishhound]

posted this earlier...
They should set up imigration checkpoints for the exiting of Gloria Estaphan’s new tour’s shows. They might just find a few. /S
Though that might start an internet rumor and hurt ticket sales. lol

[Das Outsider]

Lately, discussing immigrant assimilation has become less than acceptable in polite company out of a concern that assimilation imposes Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture on others.

For those committed to hating so-called dead white males, I suppose that might be a concern. To those who still retain some sense of sanity, assimilation has become a bigger deal than it was even five or ten years ago, particularly on the language front--despite their elected leaders' inaction and shameless pandering to ethnic lobbies.

[Das Outsider]

Aprenda espanol hoy, evite la prisa manana.

Oh, look. It's those nice boys with the colorful flags and snappy berets. ;)

The Aztlan Express, i.e., three-dimensional reasons for greater assimilation, is due in San Diego about two months from now for the big convention.

[Cyber Liberty]

Public concern about the impact of new immigration on America has reached a pitch not seen since the early 20th century.

A replacement phrase for "illegal" I see. "New immigration?" Another liberal proves he doesn't get it in the first sentence. This is getting too easy.

[neverdem]

Words Worth Saving (The Second Amendment)

The Obama Change We Really Can Believe In Just words!

McCain’s Assault on Reason - Another Al Gore for president.

Senate rejects offshore drilling bill YEAs — 42 all republicans except Landrieu (D-LA) NAYs — 56 all demonrats except: Coleman (R-MN) Collins (R-ME) Dole (R-NC) Martinez (R-FL) Smith (R-OR) Snowe (R-ME) NOT VOTING — 2 Inhofe (R-OK) McCain (R-AZ)

With 92 percent of the precincts reporting, Mrs. Clinton had 67 percent of the vote and Mr. Obama had 26 percent. WV

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Sterco]

It is really sad. Public sentiment both Democratic and Republican as well as that of legal immigrants and Hispanics that have been here legally is to shut the border down. Arizona and California are grand examples. We are eveidently no longer governed in a by the people for the people and of the people way. I think those who wrote the Constitution provided for this situation. They made a point to back it up.

[GOPJ]

Please keep me ON this list.

[neverdem]

A replacement phrase for "illegal" I see. "New immigration?" Another liberal proves he doesn't get it in the first sentence. This is getting too easy.

The Manhattan Institute is a conservative outfit.

[Niteflyr]

A replacement phrase for "illegal" I see. "New immigration?" Another liberal proves he doesn't get it in the first sentence. This is getting too easy.

"new immigration" is apparantly "screw the rules and laws, and just jump the fence"...oh how special.....this must be the "change" one noteworthy leftist liberal political candidate keeps referring to...

[Cyber Liberty]

That’s nice to hear. Is the NY Sun an organ of the Manhattan Institute? The words I noticed were from the word processor of the reporter, not a quote from somewhere else.

[Cyber Liberty]

Oh, BTW...the link you provided merely links to the same NY Sun article quoted here. We run articles from liberal fishwraps all the time, so I am not surprised The Manhattan Institute links the same articles. Doesn’t make the reporter a Conservative.

[neverdem]

Is the NY Sun an organ of the Manhattan Institute?

I don't believe so. The City Journal is. The NY Sun is the least biased NY paper, IMHO. It calls it as it sees it. I believe this is a guest editorial.

I wouldn't fixate on the use of the term "new immigration" when illegal immigration is mentioned in the next paragraph. It also misses the main point. Multiculturalism is undermining our society. The melting pot isn't working anymore.

[Cyber Liberty]

I agree with you, I was just picking at nits....