Most all the refugees, asylum seekers and truly poor economic immigrants that I've known and worked with in America (since the immigration reform and control act of 1986),in Great Britain, and in Belgium are not only willing but desperate to learn the language, take the classes and sign in and fit in with thier new society.
Having personally been an immigrant in two countries I can say that it is a very complicated difficult process that is often not user friendly.
These people come often with post traumatic syndrome, because they were victims of extreme abuse or war Having seen families and property blown up, having lost everything, having no food, jobs or safety - come looking for a place to cope.
Many needing serious psychiatric and medical help from wars or economic situation our country started, funded, supplied arms to and we're even funded through literally truckloads of cash from our governments. Sometimes we were involved in the hope to free these people but more often than not it makes them victims of another even more radical regime.
Many of them have had no chance for school most of thier life because war /poverty /unrest or oppressive regimes. Governments have not allowed them to go to school or learn to read and write in thier own mother tongue. So signing in and following a course is a huge hurdle especially since they still are actually not free in our countries some for as many as 6 years waiting for status. So 10 years war or more in thier land with no rest and then waiting for years here.
Being an immigrant is hard work.
They need real loving lasting patient friends every step of the way.
But sadly often they are shunned and can only find friendship among other refugees. So they become intrenched in their own subcultures.
Ask any expat how hard it is to find places to integrate. Even the rich and educated well adjusted find it a emotional trek through rejection, discouragement, misunderstanding and prejudice. Trust me the majority of immigrants of all kinds want to do what is asked of them to integrate. But we don't make it easy.
But they also seek freedom. Freedom to live, love believe and act as they want. A basic freedom they have been denied. We speak so proudly of having these freedoms but then want to deny them once they arrive.
So do we live in free lands or not?
Do we espouse freedom of religion? Do we allow freedom of speech and expression? Can we not extend these freedoms to others? Don't we still want them for ourselves?
The fact is that in the history of all three countries in which I've lived immigrants came seeking freedom and safety. They organised against an oppressive regime and set down laws to protect freedoms they were denied. Why is that not still the case?
