Is it wrong to assume that just because a person can't speak English in the U. S. that they are probably illegal?

[Anonymous]

[willDynamite504]

Yeah it's wrong to Think Dirty illegal cuz they're probably not you're probably speak better English than you do like that Asian person that says I don't understand that mother fucker I understand how do you know how to say I don't understand your thinking about that I think this is bullshit

[drdiego]

My wife is legally in the US, but English had really not been a priority for her. I think it's a safe assumption because there are a good number of illegals recently immigrated who haven't had the time to learn English, but definitely not a certain fact

[Anonymous]

It's not wrong to assume. To become a legal citizen, they are tested about the country, like which president was who and what colors the flag is, etc. It's in English too and you have to pass it. So they'd have to learn English to an extent. But they could just be a tourist too.

[Astoriana]

You don’t have to be a citizen to be in the country legally.

[Astoriana]

Yes. My grandparents were legal immigrants. They could hardly speak English. They lived in Canada for 40+ years. If you live in an area where everyone speaks your native language, there’s no incentive to learn. It has nothing to do with status.

[dragonfly6516]

Yes. Americans visit other countries not knowing their language, all the time.

[DodgersGM]

Well, let's be real.

If they were light-skinned speaking French then you'd assume they were here legally.

If they were brown-skinned (or darker) and speaking Spanish (or, God forbid, Arabic or some such language) then you'd probably shit your pants, Asker.

[Astoriana]

Yep. Completely.

[Cosytoasty]

Wrong to assume yeah, there must be loads of people with the correct paperwork but don’t speak a word of English.

You’re not wrong for thinking it’s a bad though, people should assimilate.

[i1T2daty]

Hope not, I've been to about 50 countries where I didn't speak the language nearly as well as most illegal immigrants her do & I haven't been thrown out of one yet.

[cavmanier]

They may not be illegal. Maybe you meant citizens? Most citizens have to pass an English test (unless are are very old with a long resident status or something like that).

[skellzor65]

To attain citizenship you must be able to speak English

[jacquesvol]

Is that a law? Really?

[skellzor65]

I believe it is but it may have changed within a few years

[vjedi]

The question doesn't ask about citizenship, only legality. You can live in the United States legally your entire life on a Green Card, pay your taxes, drive a car, buy a car, and English is not a requirement.

[vjedi]

*buy a house

[jacquesvol]

@vjedi The Federal Constitution doesn't mention that English-American is the official language.

[vjedi]

@jacquesvol
I never said it did.

[jacquesvol]

@vjedi Many other coutries mentionlanguage in their Constitution, in the US , with its wide state autonomy it was difficult to do that when the Constitution was written. Spanish prevalent in California , French in Louisiana, even German and Dutch in Pennsylvania then.

[jacquesvol]

Edit: *Many other countries mention language
typo

[vjedi]

@jacquesvol
Besides the fact your statement towards me is completely irrelevant.

California and Louisiana have nothing to do with when The US Constitution was written because neither were actually States at the time, which makes them really bad examples here.

[jacquesvol]

@vjedi California was only admitted to join in 1850, indeed but Louisiana was bought in 1803. Many amendments weren't written yet then.

[vjedi]

@jacquesvol
Exactly, both States were admitted to the nation after The Constitution was written.

I am well aware of both the US Constitution and US Political History, I don't need a lesson.

And nothing you have said has anything to do with my orginal comment, nor have you even addressed it.

[Maxemeister]

Wrong, morally? Debatable. Wrong, statistically? Yeah probably

[pinkzoesbb]

Some boarding states do have a lot of illegals. It’s a fact.

[vjedi]

This is true.
However, one often over looked fact is that most illegal immigrants actually enter the country legally, not by illegal border crossings.
Instead they come legally, and then overstay their Visas.

[pinkzoesbb]

You know what I’ve never thought about that. Good point.

[ImBatman1989]

Yeah, that's pretty messed up. People grow up in all Spanish speaking homes. And there are many schools that help with that.

[vjedi]

Yes, it is wrong because there is no law that makes speaking English a legality requirement.

[Anonymous]

Yeah they could be visiting or just around people that speak theirs all the time

[Paris13]

A Little Silly but many Times... True. xx

[Paris13]

Hard to pass that Test. xx

[madhatters4]

yes it's wrong to presume this

[madhatters4]

studies show that about 33% of americans speak a language other than English primarily. and you can certainly have first generation legal immigrants in the US who haven't learned English

[AzureGirl]

I would say so.

[Gypsy_x]

Wrong and stupid.

[cupidkisses]

it is wrong

[solidoxe]

Sure