I totally understand what you are saying. To quote DT, 'believe me".

However, I work at an elementary school with a high percentage of second language learners in Ca. True, many parents from South America (not all from Mexico) don't speak English and the kids speak English at school and Spanish at home. The kids learn English really quickly because they are submerged in the language.

What we have is a very big bilingual student population and I think that makes America stronger, to be able to speak multiple languages. It opens up jobs for these kids as they grow up. If they become doctors, nurses, lawyers, cashiers..whatever, being bilingual is a big advantage. All of our interpreters of course are bilingual. There is a BIG demand for bilingual teachers, counselors, therapists, social workers, etc.

Some parents do try to take classes but they are generally working long hours or taking care of other younger children, or both. I have noticed that MOST Hispanic parents really want their children to have a good education.

One family I knew came here because the kids in their town were getting kidnapped (e.g. the school bus of students that disappeared in Mexico). The kids were precious, sweet, genuine, unspoiled. Parents, for the most part, are just trying to keep clothes on their kids, get them food and get them to school. I have to admire them.

Yes, if parents can learn English and have the chance, that's ideal. But even I struggle to learn a 2nd language as an adult!

I would rather have involved parents, who raise good kids, and benefit from an interpreter, than have parents who are marginalized because they haven't learned English.

If parents are here illegally and kids are born here, the kids are US citizens. I want my next generation of US citizens, bilingual or not, feel they can contribute to our society and the good of our democracy.

Thanks for reading!