First, the CRS report finds that the extent of assimilation of, in particular, recent
Asian immigrants, is low; these people maintain their own languages and cultures either because they cannot, or do not wish to, assimilate into mainstream society.
For any immigrant group—and for sheer numbers, Spanish-speaking immigrants—
language barriers can make gaining work or an education more challenging. The
enduring question is whether and to what extent, then, we want to offer services in
Spanish. Does doing so hasten or delay assimilation?