Argumentative Essay On Mexican Immigration
Immigration in America has been an ever-changing and controversial political subject. Since the countries birth, America has prided itself on being “The Melting Pot.” But, despite the implications of this epithet, early American culture was not particularly diverse. In fact, the majority of early immigrants were of the same ethnicity and came from Europe. Thus, some claim that the American identity was not based on ethnic or racial diversity. One especially prominent voice for this viewpoint is Harvard Political Scientist Samuel Huntington. Huntington argues that the American identity is based on an “Anglo-Protestant culture that combines English language, religious commitment, individualism, a strong work ethic, and sense of obligation to
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Huntington claims that unlike other immigrants, Mexicans will not assimilate to American culture and thereby alter the countries values and identity. He states that upon entering the US, Mexicans have ignored mainstream culture and formed their own “political and linguist enclaves.” Though it is true that Mexicans make up the majority of immigrant population in America, it is an extreme argument to claim that Mexicans are threatening the American national identity. While Spanish is indeed the second most spoken language in America, the US Census found that immigrants “acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation,” and by the third generation Spanish has become so lost that people have trouble communicating with their grandparents. Within the article “Huntington: Is Hispanic Immigration a Threat to American Identity” authors Citron, et al; note that the data Huntington refers to does not separate the illegal from legal immigrants. Due to this data fallacy, Huntington’s claims must be disregarded. Illegal immigrants are less educated and more likely to speak Spanish than their legal counterparts. In fact, becoming a naturalized citizen necessitates becoming assimilated to American culture. in order to become naturalized citizens, immigrants must have an understanding of the English language, be able to pass a citizenship test, and find ways to support themselves and their
Huntington claims that unlike other immigrants, Mexicans will not assimilate to American culture and thereby alter the countries values and identity. He states that upon entering the US, Mexicans have ignored mainstream culture and formed their own “political and linguist enclaves.” Though it is true that Mexicans make up the majority of immigrant population in America, it is an extreme argument to claim that Mexicans are threatening the American national identity. While Spanish is indeed the second most spoken language in America, the US Census found that immigrants “acquire English and lose Spanish rapidly beginning with the second generation,” and by the third generation Spanish has become so lost that people have trouble communicating with their grandparents. Within the article “Huntington: Is Hispanic Immigration a Threat to American Identity” authors Citron, et al; note that the data Huntington refers to does not separate the illegal from legal immigrants. Due to this data fallacy, Huntington’s claims must be disregarded. Illegal immigrants are less educated and more likely to speak Spanish than their legal counterparts. In fact, becoming a naturalized citizen necessitates becoming assimilated to American culture. in order to become naturalized citizens, immigrants must have an understanding of the English language, be able to pass a citizenship test, and find ways to support themselves and their