The Immigration Debate: English Matters

ESL class

By Barbara Mujica, Huffington Post

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.

Candidates for citizenship have always had to prove proficiency in English, but candidates for green cards have not. By applying the language requirement to the latter group, we encourage illegal immigrants to acquire an tool that is essential for their success. As a society, it behooves us to stress English acquisition in elementary and high school, and also to make English classes available to adults.

Click HERE or on the picture to read the full story.

[Photo by hcplebranch]

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