The Los Angeles Times believes that we citizens don't expect foreigners coming here to live permanently to become real Americans. The Times thinks it's fine that they just come to make money and live in their separate ethic communities. The foreigners do need to learn English, however, not to become part of the national community but to get better-paying jobs.

In other words, being able to deal with dollars rather than pesos is cool, but any assimilation beyond that is extreme and unnecessary.

In her heart, Sonia Galdamez is Salvadoran. She speaks Spanish at home and cooks Salvadoran food for her family.

But since arriving in Los Angeles nearly two years ago, she has been sworn in as a U.S. citizen and is studying English at L.A. City College.

Galdamez said she doesn't have to sacrifice her traditions, roots or language to become American.

"But in this country, really, they speak English," she said. "If I want to find a good job, I have to learn it." [Making for easier assimilation Los Angeles Times, Feb 7, 2008]

On the contrary, most Americans still believe in traditional assimilation in which immigrants embrace the culture of this nation.

A 2005 Rasmussen poll supports this view (79%: No English, No Citizenship):

Two-thirds (67%) of Americans say that those who move to the USA should "adopt America's culture, language, and heritage. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 17% believe immigrants should maintain the culture of their home country.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) say immigrants should be required to learn English before they are allowed to become citizens. Fourteen percent (14%) disagree.

Another indicator is the 2006 Zogby poll that found 67 percent of citizens wanted immigration decreased so we can assimilate those already here.

In addition, the popular Sensenbrenner immigration bill that passed the House a couple years ago with bipartisan support included an Oath of Allegiance provision that demanded new citizens renounce political loyalty to their birth nations.

It's bad enough we have millions of illegal aliens, but the MSM and ethnic hucksters are misleading even legal immigrants about what is expected of them from the rest of us.