Immigrants Don’t Want to Learn English

The Claim: A Persistent and Politicized Myth

The narrative that today’s immigrants refuse to learn English has circulated widely in political speeches and media commentary. In 2024, Ohio GOP Senate candidate Bernie Moreno argued that immigrants must “assimilate and learn English” on “our terms,” implying modern newcomers resist the language. Former President Donald Trump echoed similar concerns in a March 2024 speech, warning of “languages coming into our country” that “nobody has heard of.”

Major conservative outlets, including Fox News, amplified this framing in 2025, running reports suggesting translation services “drain resources” and encourage avoidance of English. On Newsmax, commentators criticized immigrant communities as “enclaves” where English is supposedly shunned. These messages created the impression that modern immigrants lack the desire to integrate.

But history and data tell a very different story.

Immigrant English Learning Has Always Been a Process

Contrary to popular belief, today’s immigrants learn English as quickly, or faster, than earlier generations.

• A 2019 Cato Institute analysis found that 91% of immigrants arriving between 1980 and 2010 reported speaking English, compared to 86% of immigrants from 1900 to 1930.

• According to the Migration Policy Institute, 47% of today’s immigrants speak English well or exclusively, and proficiency jumps to over 90% in the second generation.

• ESL classes across the country report long waitlists in 2024 and 2025.

• Language-learning platforms like Duolingo note significant growth among foreign-born users.

The idea that earlier immigrants assimilated faster is a myth.

Historical Research Debunks Nostalgia

Linguist Joseph Salmons (University of Wisconsin-Madison) has shown through decades of research that early immigrants often relied on ethnic communities for generations before becoming fluent. “Early immigrants didn’t necessarily need or learn English quickly,” he notes.

In contrast, today’s immigrants learn faster thanks to:

• Public education,

• Workplace demands,

• Digital tools, and

• Economic incentives.

Assimilation Trends Are Stronger Than Ever

Stanford economist Ran Abramitzky, in his 2022 book with Leah Boustan, demonstrated that immigrants adapt rapidly:

• They learn English,

• Move out of immigrant enclaves as incomes rise,

• Marry native-born Americans, and

• Give their children American-sounding names.

Assimilation is not only happening, it is measurable and rapid.

Economic Mobility Drives Language Acquisition

Sociologist Tomás Jiménez, Director of Stanford’s Immigration Policy Lab, emphasizes that economic mobility is a key motivator. In 2024 interviews, he explained:

“Immigrants view English as essential for upward mobility. Children achieve near-native fluency, creating intergenerational progress.”

The real challenge is access, not willingness. Cities like Los Angeles and New York have year-long waitlists for English classes.

Public Opinion: Most Americans Know This Myth Is False

A 2024 Pew Research survey found that three-quarters of Americans believe immigrants want to learn English, and many see bilingualism as an economic advantage.

Policies such as California’s 2025 language access initiatives have boosted proficiency, proving that support, not restriction, accelerates integration.

Expert Insight: English as a Gateway to the American Dream

Attorney Chris M. Ingram of The Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram states,

“Immigrants eagerly embrace English as a gateway to the American Dream, investing time and effort to connect, contribute, and thrive in our diverse nation.”

This aligns with two centuries of immigration history in the United States.

Conclusion: Modern Immigrants Are Learning English, Just Like Every Generation Before Them

The evidence is overwhelming:

• Immigrants want to learn English.

• They are learning it quickly.

• Their children become fully fluent, often outperforming national averages.

• Barriers are structural, not motivational.

By calling out political distortions and media exaggerations, we can replace fear-based narratives with facts rooted in history, research, and lived experience.

Join the Conversation and Learn More

Attorney Chris M. Ingram and his team are committed to educating the public and debunking immigration myths that distort public understanding.
Visit www.breakthroughusa.com and follow us on social media, where we’re building a vibrant community dedicated to dignity, truth, and opportunity.

Stay tuned for our next video, where we dismantle another immigration myth and reveal the truth behind the headlines.