Tale of Two Immigrants.

J. came to our country as an immigrant with his wife and young child. He started a life here in a community of people who spoke his native tongue. He learned English, and that became his primary language outside of the home. J's children became fluent English speakers, went to English speaking schools, and fully adopted American customs other than some foods. J's son, L, grew up. L's family was raised in an English speaking environment at home, and they were completely Americanized.

A. came to our country as in immigrant with his wife and two small children. He started a life here in a community of people who spoke his native tongue. A. raised his family with the language and customs of his homeland. A's son, R, grew up and started his own family. R raised his children speaking that native language. R's children went to schools where that native language was the primary language, and the family continued the customs of the native country. R's son, L, grew up. L's family was raised in an English speaking environment at home, and they were completely Americanized.

These two immigrants came to our country one hundred years apart. The first L is my husband, Luis. The second L is my grandfather.

I wrote this because I am tired of the myth that all immigrants historically learned English and adapted to the new culture right away.

I am tired to hearing that immigrants today need to Americanize themselves immediately upon settling here. I hate seeing the "Welcome to American. Now learn English." bumper sticker, I am sick of reading that we shouldn't allow government documents and tests to be in languages other than English, tired of hearing that companies should not accommodate non-native English speakers by allowing "For English, press one. For Spanish, press two. For Hmong, press 3."

I think it is absurd that some people expect immigrants to abandon completely the customs, dress and habits of their homelands when our immigrant ancestors did no such thing.

We are a land of immigrants. The overwhelming majority of the current immigrant population is here legally. The majority of those immigrants are integrating into the US culture more quickly than previous generations did, but it is normal and expected for immigrants to keep the native language and culture alive in their families. It is part of remembering what they left behind, because no matter how hard it was in the native country, leaving to come to a great unknown is terrifying, and clinging to some of what was is a touchstone of safety.

I am thankful that my ancestors clung to their native culture. I love the bits that filtered down to my generation: the traditional bread or holiday cookies and candies, the way my children say "Acht" just like my grandparents did, the memories I hold of speaking bits of German with Grandpa as I learned it in high school for the first time. I wish I knew more of that language now, and I wish even more of the food traditions had passed through the generations to me.

I am here today because of immigrants. My husband is here today because of immigrants.

All natural born citizens of the United States other than 100% Native American citizens are here today because of immigrants. I think too many people in our nation have forgotten their own history.