Assimilation is Essential for Immigrants
Assimilation builds social harmony and empowers immigrants. Rejecting it invites division and harms everyone.
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There is a saying: “Be careful what you wish for, because you may not like it when you get it.” I used to feel frustrated that legal immigrants—who make up the majority of the immigrant population and have followed immigration laws—are often overlooked by both the media and politicians. This is largely due to the fact that discussions and coverage tend to focus more on the political drama surrounding illegal immigration.
Yet, lately, legal immigrants have grabbed headlines, but for wrong reasons. Just before Thanksgiving 2025, Afghan refugee Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly drove cross-country to Washington, D.C., and fatally shot National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom while critically wounding Andrew Wolfe.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, dozens from the Somali community face charges in a massive fraud scheme that siphoned up to $1 billion from federal COVID-relief programs, including child nutrition funds. Jason Riley of The Wall Street Journal quotes Ahmed Samatar, an expert on Somali culture at Macalester College, saying that “many Somali refugees were raised in a culture where stealing from the government was common and that a reckoning over the fraud was overdue.”
I grieve for the loss of life, feel anger towards the fraud, and worry about how these incidents may negatively impact public perceptions of immigrants and influence immigration policies.
Upon reflection, I couldn’t help but concluding: the progressive push against cultural assimilation—the process where newcomers adopt elements of their host society—has done more harm than good for both immigrants and America. Far from oppressive (as progressives claimed), assimilation builds social harmony and empowers immigrants. Rejecting it invites division and harms everyone.
The Founders’ Wisdom on Unity
America’s founders understood assimilation as vital to a thriving republic. Thomas Jefferson, in his Notes on the State of Virginia, wrote: “It is for the happiness of those united in society to harmonize as much as possible in matters which they must of necessity transact together.”
George Washington echoed this in a 1794 letter, warning against immigrants clustering in isolated groups: “The policy or advantage of [immigration] taking place in a body... may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the language, habits, and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them. Whereas by an intermixture with our people, they, or their descendants, get assimilated to our customs, measures, and laws: in a word, soon become one people.”
Assimilation is often seen as a necessity. For instance, acquiring U.S. citizenship requires demonstrating English proficiency through a civics exam, with some exemptions. However, but for many immigrants, assimilation is a voluntary choice. Except those escaping war or persecution, immigration is a deliberate, self-select journey. Many people emigrate because the challenges in their homeland are too daunting, while the opportunities in their new country are enticing and full of promise. By leaving their homes, they consciously accept the cultural exchange, willingly setting aside aspects of their ancestral culture to flourish in a new one. Assimilation, therefore, is not about forced conformity; it is a proactive and empowering choice toward a brighter future.
My Journey: From Isolation to Belonging
When I arrived in the U.S. in the mid-1990s, my English was limited, and my grasp of American culture was stunted by decades of Communist isolation. In classrooms and social circles, I felt mute and adrift amid unfamiliar references. The isolation was crushing. But I knew my choice to immigrate meant adaptation. So, I dove in: watching shows like “Friends” to hone my language and absorb everyday norms. As my language skill grew, so did my connections—I made new friends and started laughing again.
That was just the beginning of my assimilation process. Becoming an American involves more than just familiarity with pop culture. It involves actively participating in the fabric of society. I studied the U.S. Constitution and the nation’s history, exercised my right to vote, engaged in spirited debates on pressing issues, wrote opinion pieces, and volunteered at local charities. Through these experiences, I became not only a proud member of my community, but also a better citizen.
I may have let go of some Chinese traditions; for instance, I eat less traditional Chinese food and skip certain holidays, although I still celebrate Chinese New Year. Nonetheless, the benefits I’ve gained far outweigh any losses. I enjoy freedoms of speech and religion—rights I would never have experienced had I stayed in China. As an American, I live with dignity and purpose. My experience isn’t unique. A Canadian study found that assimilated immigrants often experience greater life satisfaction than their counterparts in their home countries, and stronger integration is closely tied to better economic and overall well-being outcomes.
The Pitfalls of Multiculturalism
Yet, in recent years, the rise of multiculturalism, which posits that all cultures are equal and deserve equal respect, has led progressives in America to argue that assimilation is a harmful concept. They assert that asking immigrants to assimilate diminishes their heritage and identity, making others more comfortable at their expense. Furthermore, they claim that cultural assimilation can exacerbate mental health issues among immigrants. Rather than a “melting pot,” they envision America as a “salad bowl,” where diverse cultures and their values coexist without blending.
This view about assimilation is based on a flawed understanding of cultural dynamics. Not all cultures are equally beneficial or compatible with democratic values and the rule of law. For example, cultures that tolerate practices such as honor killing or female genital mutilation cannot be equated with those that respect individual rights and human dignity.
Unfortunately, when progressives declared that assimilation was unnecessary, some newer immigrants began to disengage from efforts to integrate into their new society. They adopted the notion that the host country should adapt to their cultural practices instead. This shift created insular communities that mirror the customs, beliefs, and practices of their homelands, sometimes even contradicting the laws and values of their new country. This raises a crucial and uncomfortable question: If you wish to maintain the lifestyle of your old country, why come here in the first place?
Rather than building unity, the rejection of assimilation and the push to accommodate every culture have only intensified divisions, sparked misunderstandings, and ignited hostility between native-born citizens and immigrants. This reinforces negative stereotypes and, as the founders warned, leads to further division, undermining trust and a sense of community.
A Path Forward: Assimilation as Empowerment
Like many progressive ideas, the rejection of assimilation in favor of multiculturalism, though well-intentioned, often leads to unintended consequences. Immigrants should view assimilation not as a loss, but as a valuable opportunity. It paves the way for personal fulfillment, economic success, and a sense of community. By integrating into America’s rich tapestry, we honor our diverse journeys, contribute to the nation’s greatness, and build a stronger future for us all.
Kindle book on immigration countdown sale
To celebrate Christmas and express my gratitude to all your support, my book on immigration, “The Broken Welcome Mat,” in Kindle is having a countdown sale starting at only $0.99 on December 6th. Get your copy here. The book is also available in paperback and audio formats.
