My Attempt to Clear up Immigration Misinformation

[Will B]

One thing that has gone unsaid since day one (or maybe I missed it) is that the Arizona law is a mirror image of the federal law. It just allows local authorities to enforce it. They cannot stop people for no reason. There has to be some sort of reasonable suspicion. Also, federal law requires that all non-citizens carry documentation (green card, etc) while in the country. This is not something that the Arizona law requires that is above and beyond what is already required by federal law.

 

[sunspotbaby]

Bet this didn't make the news.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Actually it did. NPR had discussions on it the day and the day after, it happened. Most commentators felt the Mexican president was out of line...not sure if any television picked it up..

 

[Geo]

Some of what McClintock said resonated with me- the parts in his intro and his closing about it being inappropriate for Caldron to be lecturing our congress, the part about the US having an immigration process in place that Mexico doesn't.

But I disagree with the parts about one language, one flag and the whole idea of what it means to be a real American.

I too saw this covered by the media so your assumption doesn't seem to be true...

 

[Andy A]

To me, Rep. Tom McClintock was right on target! It is amazing that we have allowed our immigration enforcement to reach the point it is at today and no one party is to blame but it is a travesty. The present policy of coming across our border, North or South, is not one that many fought to preserve and protect. I called Rep. McClintock's office and expressed my deep appreciation for his speech.

 

[Geo]

To me, Rep. Tom McClintock was right on target! It is amazing that we have allowed our immigration enforcement to reach the point it is at today and no one party is to blame but it is a travesty. The present policy of coming across our border, North or South, is not one that many fought to preserve and protect. I called Rep. McClintock's office and expressed my deep appreciation for his speech.

I'm with you on the enforcement of laws, closing our borders, etc.

But I'm not on board with the "Speak English, this is America" sentiment. McClintock discussed assimilation. But his speech made it seem as if the way it has worked and should work is-

You come here, immediately learn english fluently and now we are one. Truth is it takes a few generations.

My great grandparents came from Poland in the early 1900's. They spoke only broken English into their 90's. Their children (e.g. my grandmother who lives in Chicago) speak both English and Polish fluently. But I wouldn't consider her an assimilated American. She gravitates toward the Polish neighborhoods where she buys Polish food from the poles who just got here, she attends Catholic mass in Polish, etc.

Then you have my dad who spoke little polish and was probably the first generation to assimilate in the sense that he was more American than Polish. Get to me and my generation and there isn't a trace of Polish language, culture, etc.

I believe my experience is more representative of the assimilation process of immigrants than what McClintock envisions.

 

[scooterbug44]

I find that the people who most strongly advocate "this is America, speak English" are the same ones who expect everyone to speak English when they travel. :roll:

I think people should make an effort to learn the language of anywhere they live or visit for an extended period of time, but I have been on the receiving end of far too much incredibly helpful "non-native language" signage, speakers, paperwork, assistance, and concessions to think a draconian "English only" policy is a good way to go.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I find that the people who most strongly advocate "this is America, speak English" are the same ones who expect everyone to speak English when they travel. :roll:
I think people should make an effort to learn the language of anywhere they live or visit for an extended period of time, but I have been on the receiving end of far too much incredibly helpful "non-native language" signage, speakers, paperwork, assistance, and concessions to think a draconian "English only" policy is a good way to go.

...and, in my experience, those are the people I want to stay away from when I am traveling...their behavior is all too often, just down right offensive!

 

[BeachSiO2]

I find that the people who most strongly advocate "this is America, speak English" are the same ones who expect everyone to speak English when they travel. :roll:

I actually find that many don't travel where people speak a different language, unless you count a southerner going to the northeast or vice-versa.

 

[scooterbug44]

I was thinking Mexico and cruises that dock in "furrin" lands.