The Immigration Debate: English Matters

Census data proves that immigrants have much more successful lives here when they learn English.  This sounds like common sense to me.  - - Donna Poisl

by Barbara Mujica

One aspect of the proposed immigration reform that has attracted little attention is the requirement that applicants for legal status show proficiency in English. The issue should be central to the discussion, because whether immigrants become productive participants in the American economy or drag it down depends largely on their ability to speak the majority language.

Two primary objections to the plan for legalizing undocumented workers put forward by a bipartisan group of eight senators is that these immigrants will become dependent on the government and depress wages. The Heritage Foundation has produced papers arguing that the reform would make more than 11 million illegal immigrants eligible for welfare in about ten years, costing U.S. taxpayers $6.3 trillion over the next 50 years.
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