Immigration Crisis in America: A Call for Assimilation
An expert recently expressed concern that the immigration situation in the U.S. will persist as long as the country’s elites dismiss the concept of “Americanizing” immigration.
Mark Krikorian, who leads the Center for Immigration Studies, indicated during a conversation with Fox News Digital that the decline in assimilation isn’t solely due to high immigration rates. He pointed to a larger “identity crisis” where prominent figures in society have come to view assimilation as a negative concept, distancing themselves from American identity and exceptionalism.
“This is definitely not immigrants’ fault; it’s a broader issue,” Krikorian explained, emphasizing that leaders in various sectors—government, education, and business—don’t fully grasp that being American is a positive thing. He elaborated that the notion of living in the U.S. is sometimes regarded as trivial, akin to living in different regions of New Jersey. It seems there’s a disconnect about what it means to be part of this country.
Krikorian further noted a shift in perspective among progressives, who may now liken immigration laws to historical injustices like Jim Crow, viewing restrictions as immoral. This leads to difficulties for law enforcement in regulating undocumented immigration. “How can we expect newcomers to genuinely assimilate under such circumstances?” he asked, observing that today’s leadership lacks faith in the process of Americanization.
Reflecting on his own family history, he recounted how his mother, an immigrant’s daughter, was taught foundational concepts like the Gettysburg Address and American heritage in school during the early 20th century. He questioned whether such teachings occur in today’s schools, particularly in districts like Los Angeles or New York, suggesting that many students are now being led to feel indifferent or even resentful towards their own country.
Krikorian concluded that until attitudes shift, welcoming large numbers of immigrants—legally or otherwise—might not be wise.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has taken action, reportedly deporting over 515,000 undocumented individuals since taking office. Krikorian cautioned, however, that deportation alone won’t solve the ongoing challenges.
Current data suggest that a significant portion of the U.S. population—nearly 16%—is foreign-born, a level unseen in American history, even surpassing the Ellis Island era, as Krikorian remarked.
He linked this situation to the influence of modern technology, which enables immigrants to maintain connections to their home countries. “Today’s newcomers don’t have to entirely sever their old ties, thanks to technology,” he noted, pointing out that staying connected is easier than ever.
In Krikorian’s view, national leaders, from the president down to educators, need to embrace and promote American identity. With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, he sees a “real opportunity” to reshape the narrative about America and its values across local institutions.
He reflected on America’s past successes in integrating diverse groups of immigrants and acknowledged that while the current climate makes this harder, it’s not impossible. “We can rise to the challenge if we respond effectively,” he stated.
