In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a  loyalty to the American people."\n\nTheodore Roosevelt 1907\n\nI thought this was almost alittle weird to come across considering what we are facing today. Who would of thought that something from the past would become so profound almost 100 years later.
217807
There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. \nThe one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities. \n\n— Theodore Roosevelt, speech before the Knights of Columbus, 1915, New York\n\nPresident Roosevelt Was A Man Before His Time\nIf He Were Here, We Wouldnt Be In This Mess Right Now\n\nHes Prolly Turnin Over In His Grave
320741
We consider ourselves to be a melting pot of cultures. I think it is great that each American citizen may be of a different cultural descent or background. What makes this country great is that we may celebrate our individual cultures and and the same time be members of a country that unites us as one. Americans should celebrate each other's individuality and be proud of where we come from. That's what helps to make us great, the fact that we are all so different, yet so alike.\n\nWhy are you so angry anyway? Go find something else to gripe about. No other country in the world has as many cultures as we do. We are truly one of a kind.
166415
Being a legal immigrant, I must say it's about time that those Mexicans either learn the beauty of the English language, or beat it. It isn't that difficult to hold on to your heritage while respecting the country you chose to live in. For goodness' sakes, as much as I respect the Mexican Americans, why isn't the National Anthem sang in Hungarian then? Because then it would only be fair to have it in every language ever migrated to the US.
425293
don't manipulate it to mean what you want it to.  America is a melting pot of culture.  Which actually means when immigrants came to America, they let go of their culture and all banded together to create one American culture.  They did not come waving flags....
660400
I believe it started with minorities wanting to honor their heritage.  But you're right, we're all Americans and I don't think it helps to create division by seperating oneself by ethnic background.  Plus it's just too much of a mouthful.
139493
He was 100% correct.  It definitely applies to the mess we are going through today.  It is Americans that are being discriminated against now.  We cater to the WANTS (not needs), correction ... DEMANDS of these foreigners.  God forbid should we offend them with our culture and national loyalty!  But let them offend us all they want!  I think I'll quit now before I set of on another lengthy tirade.
240411
I am an American and I like all sorts of people, I may damn well even know a Palestinian or two.  I just don't go around asking people where they are from so I can be a bigot and judge whether or not I am going to be nice to them based on the origin of their bloodline.\n\nI wish folks would quit trying to squeeze others into boxes, please be sure to ask all the other Americans before you make a judgment call like this again.  Thanks.
255116
i agree with you.  just because my ancestors were immigrants doesn't make me one.  I was born here in this country, so i am american, my ancestors might have been german or irish, but i am american.  it's like saying anyone who has had ancestors who fought for germany is now a nazi.  That is not true, so it cannot be true for immigrants either.  People who say that ususally are immigrants and want to make everyone the same, but guess what,\n\nI WAS BORN HERE - SO I AM BETTER THAN YOU!!!
243384
I understand EXACTLY what you mean....don't LISTEN to these people who want to sit there and defend the ILLEGALS from coming into our country....it's OUR country....and you are right....we were born here because of how hard our fore fathers worked for this country....Here's a good example of this issue put in different terms....\nOk, so my mom and dad work REALLY hard to make our house nice and make sure that it is ours so we can enjoy the freedom of owning a beautiful house....well say we let our friend in of another nationality and they really like it in the house.  Well, say that person brings 2 more friends and we all live their happily in the nice house that my PARENTS made perfect....Then say that those 3 "immigrants" in the house were to get upset because the rest of their family couldn't come because there wasn't enough room and then they began boycotting us out of the house.  Eventually they would push us the whole way out of the house leaving this BEATIFUL house to people who DID NOT WORK FOR IT.....that's how it is in AMERICA....Come over LEGALLY and you're fine...when you start breaking OUR rules that WE made...then get the f*** out, you can't respect our rules, you leave.
579695
I'm confused as to why people think subjecting immigrant to the same social responsibilities as US citizens is punishing them in some way?\n\nAmerica has always been about people coming here. That is part of waht makes this country great. The current initiatives (while by no means perfect) are under way to establish the ground rules for what immigrants need to do to be a part of our society
351753
The disappearance of the American Melting Pot. When America started, people came from all over the world to create a better way of life, to become Americans. The immigrants would work hard to learn English, to get jobs, to become strong citizens that wanted to help create an even better America. Now immigrants come and want the benefits of being an American without becoming an American. It doesn't seem like anybody wants to 'melt' into the American society. They want to be separate but equal. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my German/Welsh heritage, but I fly an American flag in my front yard, not a German or Welsh flag. I live close to the border with Mexico, driving around some areas you find it hard to tell you are in America, Mexican flags fly everywhere, marquees at school are in Spanish, more and more billboards are in Spanish. It used to be the special store that had a sign that said "Habla Espanol", now it's hard to find a clerk that doesn't have an accent so thick you can understand them. \n\nI'm not a racist or a redneck, in my family there are Latinos, Tunisians, Blacks, Russians, Irish, Scottish, Apache, Welsh, German, Cherokee and Chinese. Talk about a melting pot! Our family get togethers look like a UN meeting! My point is, if you want to become an American, become an American. If you want to keep your native identity and culture, maybe you should have stayed home.
339813
this sounds like a homework question.  Perhaps, think about it a little for yourself.  Here are a few ideas to ponder:\n\nIn favor:\n(1) It's a cost-saving measure.  With an official language the government needs only print documents in one language, so you don't have to print ballots, bills, notes, etc. 2, 5, 10 times for every possible language under the sun that anyone MIGHT use.\n(2) It encourages assimilation.  We are a VERY diverse country, but what kept our country together (outside of armed military conflict in the 1860s of course) was the fact that when people got here, they learned the language, they learned "American" traditions, and they melded together.  Today, with so many cultures striving for cultural identity, we've become a less cohesive country, which has caused lots of strife. At a minimum, mandating English as an official language will send the signal that all Americans have the responsibility to communicate using the same tongue.\n\nAGAINST:\n(1) It's racist.  Just because English is the language spoken by the Founders of our country doesn't mean it's "official."  Official language makes people feel like second-class citizens, like their identity and culture are not important.  It also marginalizes the large minorities in this country who have not yet learned English.\n(2) It denies people equal access to the government.  There are many LEGAL immigrants and others who have not learned the language.  Making English "official" means that many of them cannot access government services (such as VOTING, social services, knowledge of the government, etc.) because they cannot read or communicate in English.  Such a result is unfair, unreasonable, and is probably violative of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendement, thus unconstitutional.\n\nSo you think about it.
637496
The answer is simple....no one is actually from America since it's a new country (200+ years old etc). Most people are migrants from previous generations and so feel patriotic to the country that gave their forefathers opportunity.
375782
Anyone can have duel citizenship, but you need good reasons. But, I ask you, if you mean to be an American, as well as Indian. Do you want to be an American or not? America doesn't need immigrant's who are more faithful to their natural country becoming a citizen of us. We need loyal, honest people who will love our Nation and stand with her people, not divide us.
132757
I think we, as a nation, are being hypocrits regarding immigration.  This nation was built on the hard work of immigrants and we should open our arms and our minds to those who wish to be Americans now.\n\nIt's very sad what's happening to our nation. We were once representative of that great icon, the Statue of Liberty.  Now we look like small little people with small little minds fretting over our land as if we were Draconian lords.\n\nIn short, I am in favor of immigration.  By the way, I am also Cherokee ....... if these people who say "no immigration" want their way, I want them all to go back to whatever nation their ancestors came from.  Let them give my people back this fine land.  By their own standards, that is what would be just and honest and fair.
314363
I am very honored that so many people want to come over here to the United States. This is supposed to be the land of freedom and opportunity. If we look at it, everyone is an immigrate. People have fled to the U.S. to escape poverty, genocide, political instablity, etc. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for my ancestors who were forced to come to this land during the slave trade, I would have never been here. Why is it that only the United States is trying to protect the borders so harshly. I've traveled to may countries, not a a legal citizen, but as a tourist, and I have been welcomed with open arms. The resources that we take for granted such as health care, retirement, and social security, isn't offered to a lot of people outside the United States. Everyone should be given an equal opportunity, but on the other hand, we are over looking the fact that there are people who are sneaking into the United States that what to cause harm. Maybe the process of becoming a legal citizen shouldn't be so hard. How would you like it if you were only considered a citizen based on a document of papers? I'm not discriminating against Africans, Jews, Polish, Hispanic, Arabic, or any other race. We just need to redefin where we are trying to do with this immigration bill and not over react by saying that immigrates will be felones and will have to be deported. This just ridiculous if you ask me.
406609
My USA citizen countrymen/women. The USA is a melting pot of many colors and nationalities. I hope all of us would defend each other against outside forces or entities. We should not allow other people to divide us by bringing up issues in the past that they use to stir up past ills. The past is and should remain there, in the past. Issues of today are issues of today. We all had our good and bad pasts, they are over with. Today we should look at each other as AMERICAN compatriots.