Chapter 9 of Samuel Huntington’s “Who Are We?” discusses the unique nature of Mexican Immigration in the United States. Considering the fact that the close proximity of the United States and Mexico is the only circumstance worldwide in which a developed nation boarders a developing nation provides reason to look into the specifics of this unique relationship. In recent years, Hispanics have become the overwhelming majority of immigration into the United States, both legally and illegally, with the majority of that group itself being of Mexican origin. This comes as no surprise because of the lack of the need to cross an ocean in order to immigrate, as well as the fact that Mexico (and other Latin American counties) is facing a much harder economic struggle compared to the U.S.
The assimilation of Hispanics in America is different compared to other nations, especially for Mexicans, in some ways because of the history between American southern territories like Texas that once belonged to Mexico. However, in other ways they follow similar patterns to other cultures like in the example of language. A typical pattern of language assimilation includes the first generation of immigrants to continue speaking their own language and not learning the language of their new country. This is followed by the second generation often being fluent in both language, and finally the third generation and beyond only speaks the language of the new country.
There are many other factors that go into the immigration and assimilation of Hispanic groups like education and occupations. The special situation of Hispanic immigration in the United States has sparked debate and conflict since the rise of it in 1965, and it is unsure as to whether it will go down, even if the economic situation in Mexico and other Hispanic countries improves.
2 replies on “Who Are We? Chapter 9 ERA”
It is interesting to see the patterns that generations experience in language assimilation. By the third generation, they are only speaking the new country’s language. In the eyes of the once-were-immigrants, they see themselves as a part of the country and like any other citizen, but what the tough thing to realize is that other American citizens don’t see these people as any other citizens; to them, they are still immigrants.
Ella presents a clear and well organized summary of the 9th chapter of Huntington’s Who Are We. She effectively explains the patterns of language throughout generations. I think an especially interesting aspect of Mexican immigration that Ella does not point out in her analysis is the idea that the Mexican government seems to encourage Mexicans to migrate to the United States and to bring wealth back to their country. I believe that this is a rather unique situation. Additionally, it is important to consider the idea that because there are so many Mexican immigrants, they are able to form their own communities and continue their culture much more easily than many other immigrants in the past and present. Both of these aspects contribute to the peculiar situation of Mexican immigrants in the United States of America.