Thread: Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English

Shoulds and Shalls notwithstanding,
I believe simply if one wishes to be a citizen of a nation, he or she should do whatever possible to allow proper functioning within that society. FAA air traffic control language is all conducted in English, by law, even. Imagine a 747 pilot trying to communicate in (language X) and demanding the overworked air traffic controllers speak his language or get a translator? Bad things could happen. Which I guess is why I'm beating the "functional usage" horse here. One doesn't have to be fluent enough to discuss nuclear physics (unless one is a physicist, perhaps) in English, just enough to get across ideas and comprehend them from others. Fluency would be ideal, but enough to get by would also be fine IMHO. Many people can learn enough of a language to *get by* in a month or two, even though they won't be conversationally capable perhaps. IMHO not being able to use language to at LEAST this level after five WHOLE YEARS seems to indicate a lack of interest in truly becoming a citizen, as it is apparent such people have likely hidden within small communities and avoided being truly incorporated into society.
If I went to Mexico to live for instance, I may never sound like a native, but I would have the decency to 1) not expect everyone to know English and 2) at least continue to attempt the language. Within 5 years I'm pretty sure I would be fluent, even if I had a horrible accent.
Expecting the same from immigrants here is also only fair. It isn't about whether someone should be deported so much as do they *genuinely* want to be a part of this society in the first place enough to be a citizen, and to do so safely?

Just my thoughts, anyway.

John P.