Immigrant Insiders

Immigrants are still fitting in.

Still fitting in?

This is Miriam Jordan’s argument in response to Congress’ alleged failure to fix the current immigration laws and solve our nation’s illegal immigration problem. She thinks that Congress’ repeated attempts to deal with immigrants, both legal and illegal, suggest that the people and policies of the United States are poorly assimilating these people to the mainstream American culture.

Jordan, who’s article was published in the Wall Street Journal this past Monday, believes otherwise.

from gerson721 

Jordan presents statistics showing immigrants are assimilating to the United States faster than their counterparts who are trying to adapt to the cultures in other Western countries, such as Austria, France, and Switzerland. She also mentions factors related to speed of assimilation, including owning a home, having the ability to speak English, and achieving U.S. citizenship.

These factors shape the way Americans view immigrants – and in my opinion, immigrants who have accomplished these tasks are less likely to be seen as “outsiders” and are more accepted by the natives. Having this feeling of acceptance by the already acculturated citizens of America makes assimilating to the culture much easier. There is one less hurdle to jump over, one less challenge to overcome.

Immigrants who are no longer on the outside don’t have to worry about not fitting in – it might take some time to achieve to full assimilation, but because insiders have already accepted them and seen them as not just outsiders or aliens, they can rest assured they will get there eventually.

And the only reason these immigrants are no longer seen as outsiders is because they are adopting the native culture, striving to become more like the mainstream American.

They are conforming.

By conforming to these norms, American’s are prompted to grant immigrants insider status.

Immigrants are accepted. They are no longer classified and treated as aliens.

Immigrants must sacrifice their native culture and traditions in order to assimilate to the American culture. These actions have major consequences, as explained by Jordan. She writes that the ability to assimilate has economic implications, affecting job markets, government budgets, education, and hospital emergency rooms. Although Jordan makes no indication as to whether these effects are positive or negative, the current state of our economy points to negative. So the bottom line is that immigrants are being forced to conform to gain acceptance. They are sacrificing their native culture in hopes being an insider in a society filled with economic downturn.

So is fitting in really a good thing?