[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

In areas where Hispanic immigration is highest, it's not realistic to expect assimilation as defined by previous generations. The explosion of Spanish language media and everyday bilingual nature of private and public facilities points more toward balkanization than assimiliation. The US isn't as threatened as Europe by Muslim immigration, but the sheer volume of CA/SA immigrants is no less a threat, and maybe moreso. We're talking about Texas and the Southwest becoming de facto Mexican states. Demographic shifts of this magnitude, in such a small timeframe, do not bode well for this country, even if the immigrants aren't at odds with the locals with regard to religion.

[junta]

Thanks for putting that mindless cliche in its place.

[Clemenza]

I've lived among Arab Muslims and I've lived among Mexicans. Believe me, the latter is MUCH preferable to the former. Aside from a the "gangsta" minority, I never had problems with the Mexicans.

[hershey]

You're right. The sheer numbers of unskilled Mexican/Latino illegals mean they won't assimilate. They remain loyal to Mexico, dream of going 'home', and resent the US. Some even plan to turn approximately a third of the US into Azatlan. They have no plans to learn English or assimilate, and so they're doomed to remain shut off from mainstream commerce and the American dream. This is not good for any of us. Balkanization, coming to your neighborhood soon.

[muawiyah]

Given the disparity between the economic level of Mexico and that of the Southwestern border states, it's more than likely that Mexico itself will become a mere economic appendage of the Southwest.

In fact, that's more or less what has already happened ~ and the tighter the link becomes the more likely it is Mexicans will find it useful to cross the border into the Southwest and elsewhere.