In the context of the recent heated debates surrounding America’s immigration policy, one of the criticisms directed at illegal immigrants was that they allegedly refuse to learn English and steadfastly hold onto their native language into succeeding generations and that therefore, American society would be hopelessly divided into two societies -- one speaking English, the other speaking Spanish. But as CBS News reports, new research convincingly refutes that paranoid notion:

A few generations after families move to the United States from Latin American countries, fluency in Spanish dies out and English becomes the dominant language, according to a new paper published by sociology professors from New Jersey and California. The paper counters popular arguments that the size of Latino immigration to the United States could create a bilingual society and a fundamental change in American culture. . . .

The study suggests that Mexican immigrants arriving in Southern California today can expect only five out of every 100 of their great-grandchildren to speak fluent Spanish. . . . The authors of the new paper use survey data to show that Hispanics with each successive generation are becoming English speakers, just like previous immigration waves in U.S. history.

In theory, findings like this should -- should -- lay to rest nativist fears about immigrants (legal or illegal, Mexican, Asian, or whatever) stubbornly clinging onto their native language and refusing to learn English. However, my guess is that just like other situations, right-wing critics of immigration will just ignore or dismiss it and continue to selectively point to more obscure, biased, and/or scientifically unreliable research that supports their own political agenda.

What are sociologists to do in this blatantly partisan and ideological environment? Our research is supposed to “inform” public policy but in many ways, just ends up becoming another pawn in the big political power game. It can be pretty discouraging at times. But ultimately, we can’t give up. The “facts” need to be revealed, regardless of how it gets used or ignored. Our voice needs to be heard, because without it, something tells me there would be even more chaos, biased assumptions, and plain old lies.

Good work, Professors Massey, Rumbaut, and Bean -- keep them coming.