English only..A requirement for American citizenship?????

[Toots]

Is this what America wants? Is this right? Edwards made no bones about this. He believes this should be the way it is...The other candidates were not asked about it and did not comment but apparently Edwards got a surge after the debate from this...Should Democrats step out front on this issue and go for English Only??????

[bluethruandthru]

1. I thought he said that he believes that in order to become

an American citizen...one must be able to speak english. I'm not sure what you mean by "English Only". ??

[Zywiec]

3. Exactly. He never said you couldn't speak another language

just that you had to speak English in addition to any other language(s) you know.

[Zywiec]

2. What does American citizenship mean?

Is it just being born on this soil, or something more?

If someone wants to become a citizen, should it just be about filling out a form and requesting citizenship?

[dorkulon]

4. Actually, it is about being born on this soil.

Anyone born here is a citizen.

[Zywiec]

6. I know that. But what about the people born elsewhere?

Why do they want to become citizens?

[dorkulon]

13. Well, because it's better here.

It takes a long time to learn English or any language as an adult. I think requiring it isn't necessary, because any immigrant's children will learn English naturally. And even if they don't, really, so what? When I lived in San Francisco, there were a lot of Koreans and Vietnamese in my neighborhood. A lot of them didn't speak English, but they were fine people and in no way a detriment to this nation. I just don't see what the big deal is.

[Bluerthanblue]

9. it ISN'T about

simply filling out a form now-

Many immigrants who have gone through the citizenship process know more about our govt. and American History than people whose family has been in this country for generations.

I'm thinking you may be asking a deeper question- And if you are I think it's an important one for everyone to consider.

If you are saying the present rules for becoming a 'new citizen' of the USA is too easy, I disagree completely.

I'm a tutor and work with refugees who have come to America seeking hope. The incredible obstacles they face to simply survive would overwhelm many of us. Mastery of the english language is not simple, or quick.

Should we require those born here to pass a test before they are recognized as official citizens?

peace~

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. It means believing in democracy and the constitution.

You don't need to speak English for that.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. NOT ENGLISH ONLY

That is what the Repugs are pushing. Edwards says you should learn english to become a citizen, and we should have ESL programs to help. He never said English ONLY.

[ananda]

7. I think it's ok to require..

.. that a candidate for citizenship speak English.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Sure.

I think they should also be Christian.

:eyes:

[dmallind]

8. Not only, but already IS a requirement

A test of English proficiency - minimal though it is - is part of the naturalization test/interview along with basic civics and history.

I've taken it. It's nowhere near enough to verify a person can fully participate in a society overwhelmingly dominated by anglophone monolinguists, but it's there and has been for a long time.

I think the new part of this is making sure there are programs and help to teach ESL immigrants English to a level where they have a better chance to succeed.

[LiberalEsto]

10. My parents were immigrants

They were Estonian citizens and came here in 1949 from a displaced persons camp in Germany. They would not have been allowed entry if they hadn't spoken English.

I believe everyone who wants the privilege of becoming an American citizen ought to master at least a small basic vocabulary of English. Other nations require immigrants to learn their languages. I wouldn't dream of immigrating to France or Italy, for example, without learning at least some of the language first.

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. I just realized that there is some conflating of citizenship with immigration.

Plenty of people arrive in this country without a word of English. Over the several years naturalization process they learn engough English to pass the citizenship test.

You don't need to know English to immigrate. A limited amount is needed for citizenship. And the immigrant's kids will be fluent.

Speaking English is not what makes a citizen. It is a belief in American democracy and the US constitution.

Unfortunately, we can't kick out the native born who believe in neither, no matter what language they speak.

[LiberalEsto]

17. My parents told me they had to speak English

in order to enter the US as immigrants. Although I am not sure about details, I believe there was a limit on the number of immigrants allowed from various European nations in the late 1940s, and preference was given to English speakers.

Although she and my dad spoke fluent English (and Estonian, Russian and German) my mom didn't become a citizen until 1970. (My dad did in the 1950s) She kept hoping they could return to Estonia.

[RaleighNCDUer]

19. That's very possible - in the condition Europe was at the time it would

likely have been fairly easy to make the English speaking an unofficial requirement and still easily meet the immigration quota. With millions clamoring to get in at that time it could have been a marker - not necessary by law, but preferred. If that was the case then, yes, they did have to speak English, but not because the law required it. Without it they would have been moved farther back in line, and it was a very, very long line, effectively excluding them.

Good thing they did, or we would probably not be chatting today.

:hi:

[LiberalEsto]

23. Who knows,

I could have ended up as a Aussie

[Winterblues]

14. My opinion ,and it has nothing to do with Edwards , is

I believe it is another form of Republican paranoia. They are pretty much afraid of everything. They think if people are speaking another language that they are talking about them, and they don't like that. They are not comfortable in their own skins...Another reason they all want to carry guns..They live in constant paranoia and I sometimes feel sorry for them.. :shrug:

[LanternWaste]

15. There's no valid point in it.

"Should Democrats step out front on this issue and go for English Only??????"

There's no valid point in it.

[EFerrari]

16. He didn't say that. He said English fluency should be a requirement

for citizenship.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. He said that?

What a dumb think to say.

[EFerrari]

22. Yes, he did. It's part of his stump re immigration.

It's really not different in practice from what we have now.

[RaleighNCDUer]

24. There's no requirement for fluency. Only functionability.

Hell, half the native born are less than fluent. Just browse FR if you doubt it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Not Sure Where You're Getting The 'English Only' Garbage From. As Far As It Being A Requirement

in order to attain citizenship though, I agree with him 100%.

[seemunkee]

25. Is sign language English?

Just wondering if the deaf or mute matter in this.