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Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights
Perhaps not.
My "family" emigrated to the U.S. in the early 18th century. They spoke German. They settled with other German speakers. It was well into the third generation before any of the family papers began to be written in English. So, by self imposed isolation, there was little incentive to learn English. But, there was also no effort made by the government to accomodate the German language. Sooner or later, they had to assimilate.
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That's the difference between an immigrant who can speak English and one who cannot. If you can't speak English you are a Mexican living in a Mexican community in America. If you can speak English you are no longer bound to your cultural community to function in America. By learning English you gain so much more freedom and opportunity in this country than only knowing your native language.
All of my great grandparents could barely speak English, grandparents are bilingual, and my parents can only speak English. Every other immigrant class eventually learned English, why should Hispanic people be different?