Navarrette: Advice for immigrants

Lots of good advice here for all immigrants and especially Latinos. He points out the responsibilities and opportunities for immigrants to assimilate and become citizens. - - Donna Poisl

By Ruben Navarrette Jr.

Some might consider this an impolite way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. But this year, I'm giving Latino immigrants a gift straight from the heart: a lecture.

Now is a good time. Immigrants are one of the best things about this country, but with Congress about to restart the immigration reform debate, they will soon have to be on their best behavior. A lot of American citizens are asking what immigrants are prepared to do for America — in exchange for what immigrants want America to do for them.

First, the good news: Unlike many Americans who seem to think that some jobs are beneath their dignity, immigrants don't need to be told to work hard at whatever jobs they find. In fact, if you want to know why many employers prefer foreign workers to the native-born, it's not just because immigrants will often work for lower wages but also because immigrants see work as a higher calling. While many Americans do just enough on the job to get by, many immigrants do what it takes to get ahead.
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