Should the United States designate English as the official language and make it a requirement for citizenship?

And you know that they are too lazy to learn because? Do you know how difficult it is to learn a different language as an adult? Not defending them because I think they should learn the language as it would be beneficial for them to do so. Better jobs and opportunities but most come here to work. From first hand experience, I know that the work they do is not at all glamorous or well paying, so if by learning English would mean a better job than they would do so. These people are afraid to report crimes committed against them for fear of deportation. Many ask, "Why not just become a citizen?". I've seen immigrants plucked out of ESL classes and deported. These were classes to assist them in becoming citizens and they were trying to. A family I know even raised and worked hard to obtain over $3,000 for the family to pay to file their citizenship papers. Do you have any idea how hard that must have been for them? It's easy to storm and yell," Hell, yeah this is America learn English!". Put yourself in their shoes just once and realize the feeling their children must have had as their father and mother were dragged away and deported. Any human being with feelings especially those of us who are parents can understand this feeling. By the way, English was not a choice for many Native Americans to learn. It was forced upon them as was many other things.

1. Government business is conducted in English. What is not redundant is the fact that the government caters to so many languages in order to have participation from different demographics, it wastes money having to *sometimes* hire *permanent* interpreters, and *sometimes* *almost all the time* print things in at least one additional language. This is a waste of time and money. It is apparent that you haven't been to a government agency for any length of time, in any recent period.

2. It's only a "requirement" unless you are unable, due to disability, or don't feel like waiting for age/residency waiver, to learn English

3. Posting USCIS "requirements" for the 10th time adds nothing to the conversation.

4. I must respectfully note that the only valid point in your post, is that in a general sense, Americans don't care about or value the system which they are a part of.

I care and would be more than happy to help make a difference.I hate it when I go anywhere and have to listen to lazy people who do not want to learn English, but want more than anything to be called American, to me you cant have it both ways, If Im not mistaken, most border cities/town have or are trying to make English the 2nd language and Spanish the main one.I disagree with this 100%.

It's a question of simple economics brother. Border towns and cities know what the major corporations know. Money does not have a language. But I bet that if you had a business located in a predominantly Hispanic area, it would serve you well and make businesses sense to start putting those Spanish signs up. Otherwise, you probably won't last too long. See it as bringing additional customers in for your business and not taking away from it. There is no hidden agenda nor do these "lazy people" want to make Spanish an official second language. They know that and you know that. Learning Spanish isn't un-American, but prohibiting them from speaking it, is. I do agree that they need to learn the English language if they want to be successful in this country, but if they don't , so be it. Less competition for those of us who know it.

I wont vote you down SPC Bristol, but thats the wrong kind of thinking that has this country in the shape its in.

Stand your ground SPC Bristol. Freedom isn't free and you have earned the right to think that way. It's others who want to persuade you into their mode of thinking that's not right. This country is still the best country in the world regardless of what anybody says.

Wow, so the billions of dollars made by corporations investing in Spanish language media and thus adding to our economy is small beans? Why do you not see the enormous potential the Hispanic market is? I'd rather trade with Mexico than with China or Russia any day.

Who said anything about what corporations make? You have entirely missed the point. I am talking about tax money spent on bilingual tests or signs. This is America, people used to assimilate here and become part of the culture. English is the reigning language, it should be the official language, period.

No point missed here. You are talking about money and I am talking about money in the end either way.

By the way, America is even an English word. Just saying. I guess we can start by re-naming the entire Southwest while we are at it. I'm not against immigrants learning English. They have to in order to succeed here, just seems like History repeating itself as it did with the Native Americans.

Not then of course, but today may have been a different story! LOL

I had to.