why does it seem like so many mexican immigrants never learn english?
356181
Most don't have to. They mostly stick to their own kind and don't have to work on their English. Plus they aren't made to. You have translators now and everything is in English/Spanish. So why do they really need to? I agree that if you are in this country you should learn the language. I can also say this because I am married to a Mexican so I am not racist in any way. If I moved to Mexico I don't expect things to be in English for me. I should have to learn Spanish. Fortunately, my husband speaks very good English. Before he met me he only spoke some, but since I don't know much Spanish he is forced to speak English all the time........so...therefor he has to learn English in order to communicate with me, and is should be the same with anyone who dosent speak English. You are in America therefor, you should speak our language, period. Like I said, they hang out and live by people who primarily speak their language so why should they have to?
1182955
Of course we know that there are many immigrants from many countries besides Mexico. America is the great melting pot. The topic is ILLEGAL immigrants though. I am sure that we have them from all countries also. What do we hear the most though? We hear about the ILLEGAL Mexicans walking over the border. Yes we have another country bordering us...but when was the last time you heard about an ILLEGAL Canadian walking over the border? I am not saying it doesn't happen. The media pretty much only discusses the Mexicans.\nAs far as persons who say things to you because you are Hispanic....unfortunately that is just life. There are ignorant people everywhere. Fortunately for you....you know that you are a citizen. You went and got a degree, a job, and pay taxes. That's what you are supposed to do. \nI just want to know something. You get all offended about people talking about Mexicans....yet you called Americans lazy. You do know that you are an American right?
805314
1/4 of the US was once a territory of Mexico.  Another huge chunk was Russian.  Another chunk was French.  Each of those chunks was purchased or won in combat by the English chunk.   Therefore, English won out.\n\nThere was a push for a long while to establish a national language between German and English!  But that died down once the Great World War started.  I've picked up a great deal of Spanish, because I enjoy it.  Otherwise, I don't think anyone should be forced to learn Spanish.  Just like learning English, it might make some interactions easier!
448789
its not that they don't understand the word it is that many of them don't even know what they are fighting for. many of them just do it to have something to go against in this country. if they would take time to read the constitution and this countries laws i doubt there would be many supporters. i myself am Cuban, but the thing is that its not just the Mexicans that are immigrants and that's what they are playing it off as, and that really chaps a lot of peoples "asses." excuse the language but it truly isn't fair. i don't think anyone should be marching for anything unless they have facts to support what they are marching for. i bet if you asked every single one of them why they are marching they either wouldn't know or they would say for rights, and if you asked them what rights they would look at you with a blank expression. therefore its a matter of being educated.
495525
I'm a first generation immigrant from England, and I just want to say that I think it's hilarious so many Americans want Mexicans & other South Americans to learn MY country's language! I know folks from all around the world, but it's only Americans that you can rely on to only speak a single language!\n\nHaving said that, it's not so hard to come here legally.  \n\nWe'll sort this mess out before long.  If all Mexicans stop going to Walmart & Starbucks (as I heard on the radio today) the WalMart will fix the problem.\n\nHow about we just give EVERYBODY the citizenship test, and everyone that fails (including those born here) gets shipped out?
721151
I think it's a combination of the fact that they don't know the language and because they are different (physical, cultural, etc.) from citizens.
404813
immigrants do learn English and those that can apply for legal status do.  you assume that immigrants don't learn English but to learn a new language at an academic proficiency level experts say it takes on average 7 years. for many immigrants maybe they don't reach that level but their children who are educated here in American do much better adapting to the language and the culture here.  as far as applying for a working visa or resident status immigrants must hire a lawyer, find an employer who will back their status request, prove that there job can't be done by an American, pay approximately ten thousand dollars, and wait about 6 years for that status to be approved or denied.  it's not as easy as you might think especially for many illegals who have very little education...
143950
I think it is a little extreme, but I can understand the frustration.  Here in Texas, I get annoyed when people of Hispanic origin refuse to learn English, and our society and government enables them to do this by not requiring immigrants to learn english, and even forcing government employees to speak spanish.  Also, our local and national businesses learn spanish to accomodate those who do not speak our language.\n\nI am all for immigration....that is what the makes the U.S. An intresting place to live, but I doubt that if I moved to Mexico or Spain or any other spanish speaking country, that they would learn english to accomadate me.  I understand why they would not....pride in their culture...we have the same and would appreciate immigrants having enough respect to learn it.  After all, it is free from our government.  \n\nSo, I guess my final thought on your question is that I agree that it is a little extreme to forbid it, but at the same time, I see why and understand the reason.\n\nTake care and God bless.
602545
It doesn't matter if MOST illegals are mexican. Not ALL illegals are. If we have 12,000,000 illegal immigrants and mexicans make up about 85 percent then we still have almost 2 million illegal immigrants that are from various other countries. It kills me when I read some of the highly intelligent(note the sarcasm) answers from the people on here...Thought it was funny when I read the one that said that they spoke mexican. Funny, I have never heard of a language called Mexican....And El salvadorans and Guatemalans are NOT the same as Mexicans. That's like saying an American is the same as a Canadian or a Britian. Give me a break.\n\nAnd the issue right now is NOT illegal immigrants from Mexico. It is illegal immigrants period!
563422
I think that if you are here in "AMERICA" You should learn the damn language or get the hell out!! We DO NOT live in mexico, or any other country, we live here in "AMERICA" There are people that have lived here in "AMERICA" for years and still dont speak a word of english. If I was to go to a different country, I would at least try to speak the language.
534481
some people pick up on languages faster than others.  sounds like you cousin did a good job...but i can show you many other from germany that haven't picked it up all that well.\ni do think its only fair that if one plans to live in a country for any amount of time they should try to learn the language, but i think people are not near as tolerant as they should be about this...its hard, it takes time.  i spent a year in czech republic, and though i learned enough czech to get by, it was far from fluent, and not for lack of trying.\nthen it gets complicated, as people tend to try to live around those that are similar to them, its more comforting, and easier, and frankly given some of the xenophobia displayed lately i can't much blame anyone for not wanting to be the first south american in a neighborhood.  but this clustering makes it less urgent to learn the language and more difficult.\nas for the press 2...its a sure sign that immigrants (illegal) don't just suck the country dry.  business recognize there is money to be made by making their company more accessible to these people, or they wouldn't be putting in bi-lingual services...think large companies just do these things out of the goodness of their corporate heart? no.  its for money.
319017
First of all I would like to say congrats. You speak better English than any illegal Mexican that come over daily. Even better English than some of them who have been living in the US for over 10 years. Now to answer your question I dont know. Just wanted to say thnk you for proving to me that it is just Mexicans that cant speak English.
1062480
mexican takeover and people who don't speak proper english
910205
Ron, most of these people don't care to educate themselves on such things.  They don't really care if a person is legal or illegal.  They care about the color of his skin & the language he speaks. They scream that the Spanish speakers need to learn English. Then if he does LEARN English then they like to make fun of his accent.  They assume that every Hispanic here is Mexican and illegal just by looking at him.  They assume that all illegals are on welfare and medicaid.  They assume all illegals have fake id's and fake SSN's. I've been trying to educate them differently but they don't care to listen.  Most don't even have a clue that many of these "Mexicans" are from Nicaragua, Guatemaula, El Salvador, Uraguay, Paraguay and many Latin American countries.  They don't care.  They don't care if they are perm. residents or citizens.  If they look "illegal" they want them rounded up and deported.  That's really all they want and all they care about.
411901
I completely agree with you on everything!  My grandparents had to learn English when they came here, so did all the other immigrants that came at the time they did.  So why shouldn't the Spanish speaking immigrants have to learn it?  Are they too stupid?  Or too arrogant?  Maybe someone else is happy to have their taxes go to some lady that waddled across the border, had her baby here, and now collects welfare "for the baby" but I am not.  I say if they want to be here, go through the legal process, learn the language, and get a job and pay taxes like the rest of us.\n\nAnd oh yeah - while you like in the US, you fly the US flag.  That's another thing - they claim they are so oppressed where they are from, yet they want to wave the flag of where they re from and be "loyal" to where they came from - well they should be loyal to the country that gives them the things their own country won't!
449350
I don't necessarily think that everyone has a problem with Mexicans, but I do think most people assume every Mexican they meet is an illegal immigrant.  I'm a Spanish major at college, and one of my professors immigrated (legally) from Mexico.  She said a big part of it is the issue that the immigrants CAN'T become citizens legally.  That takes money, and Mexicans don't cross the border for the fun of it; they come to the U.S. when they're children are starving and they have no other choice.  If there was a way for them to come here legally, I'm sure they'd rather do that, then risk their life in the desert, and constantly hide from immigration.  I wish people were better informed on the issue.
213339
None that I know of but there are lots who speak Spanish.