Quote:The early immigrants took generations to assimilate, as you point out. But they came here because they saw the US as a better place. They wanted to become Americans to the best of their ability. To use Italy as an example, they did not aspire to be Italians living in the US. They did not demand that everyone learn Italian. They did not demand that schools teach classes in Italian.


For many groups there is no assimilation. A majority of Muslims in the US still want Sharia law observed, including 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation Muslims. They are NEVER going to assimilate.

And it's not just assimilation. Nowadays, many of the immigrants come here to get what they view the US owes them. They don't want to be Americans, they want to take back what they perceive as having been stolen from them by the US. I heard a very eloquent speaker at a graduation ceremony basically claim that the US owed it to the Mexicans to let them immigrate. Owed!

There is always sub groups within communities.


My best friend in college was from India. Most of his family was assimilated, a few never did.


If you look at Japanese communities, some have never given up their culture either.


As for middle eastern immigrants, look at los angels, there's a huge Iranian population. They all left Iran fur a better life away from the theocratic oppression. The kids of the immigrants are all assimilated, they keep some of their culture, but are Americans.


While you are right some immigrants never do fully integrate, that is not a trait of just one group. And, like I said, most do assimilate over a couple generations.


The problem with middle eastern immigrants is that they are the most recent cohort so we're not seeing the kids that grow up wearing jeans. But in 10-15 years, you will. That's the story of America.


I think it just takes time for it to occur.

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