Two America's?

There has been a huge influx of Mexican and Latino immigrants, and the nature of their immigration is still young. Joseph Contreras writes for the March 22, 2004 edition of Newsweek International. In his essay “Two Americas?” Contreras’ main objective is to make people aware of Latin American immigration especially from Mexico. He explains how there are opposing sides to this massive number of immigration, particularly from Samuel P. Huntington. According to Huntington, America is undergoing a transformation into two peoples with two cultures and two languages; referring to the native Anglo and the immigrant Hispanic cultures. Contreras provides some statistics: such as the 8-10 million illegal Latino’s out of the near 40 million who have immigrated to the United States. As well Contreras tells of how 70 percent of the Latino immigrants are Mexican.
By 2018 Hispanics could gain majority status in the state of California, and could possible account for nearly one fourth of all Americans half way through the century. This number and the nearly 22 million Mexicans in America is what mostly troubles Huntington. He claims that the immigrants coming into the southwestern parts of the United States are “poor, unskilled and poorly educated” and also states that these people’s kids “are likely to face similar conditions.” However Contreras provides a counter in stating that average second-generation Latino with a college degree is earning more income than white workers with comparable educational backgrounds. No matter race, people who are willing to work harder, by all means should earn more income than their lazier peers. Americans should feel honored that these people are so devoted to coming to our nation. These Latin American immigrants by all means should only be allowed to enter legally, however upon entering legally we should try to live up to our stereotype as the country with great opportunity. There is a problem with illegal immigration, and though there is no set solution; immigrants need to realize that legal entry is extremely important. However, upon legal entry, immigrants should be granted every single right that a native is given. There is also a large influx of Mexican gangs. Everyone who wants to legally enter and live in America should be able to, no questions asked; however, for these people who do wish to live in America, do not bring with you, your gangs and groups of crime committing thugs. Of course there are many gangs that originated here, and are made up of all types of ethnicities, not only Hispanic, but no gang members should be allowed to live in America no matter where they originate.
America’s national language is English. Until that is changed immigrants from everywhere should learn English. Our schools should not have to give in to teaching both in Spanish and in English. That is unfair to other immigrant cultures. Upon moving to Belgium, I was forced to learn French in school. Although I did not speak it very well, people acknowledged that I tried and respected me for it. According to Contreras, the new generations of Latino’s speak mostly English, and some are even forgetting their parents’ Spanish. Hispanics shouldn’t forget who they are and where they come from, they should continue to study Spanish. But it is very encouraging and appreciated that the majority are learning to speak English!