Many immigrants arriving today have different goals and a different mindset than people arriving in generations past. New immigrants sometimes appear more interested in their former countries than in America, even though they’ve sworn their loyalty here. This behavior reeks of fake patriotism. So many immigrants openly and proudly talk about their contributions to their former countries, but not about what they plan on doing in the new homeland that has opened her arms to them. This situation needs to change if we want our children to enjoy the United States like we do.

America owes nothing to us, but this country provides us myriad opportunities. I suggest that all immigrants start to develop an ownership attitude for our new neighborhoods and our new country. We need to take care of the place where we are now. The countries we left to come to this nation should remain in our memories, but no longer be our priority.

Like so many businesses, my company with thousands workers requires orientation and training classes when we hire new employees. We make sure that new employees understand the duties that go along with their job description. The United States, other than some very basic requirements to pass a citizenship test, never trains immigrants regarding civic duties and responsibilities. America accepts new immigrants for the benefit of the nation, but we don’t train them as new citizens. Thus, new immigrants maintain their old lifestyles and old mindsets, and many of them expect the United States to be more accommodating of them. Some of them are coming here with intention to change the United States, wrong way. We must communicate with these newcomers about their civic duties and ownership as American citizens. Becoming an American can no longer be a one-way street. It doesn’t help immigrants, and it doesn’t help America.

I suggest that the U.S. government revise the current requirements for new citizenship applicants. The citizenship process has the potential to be a very effective tool in shaping productive and loyal members of American society. I believe our government who accept new immigrants also has the responsibility to guide new citizens more proactively to be loyal to the United States, their new country.

My proposal is that new immigrants attend an Orientation Class on America (OCA), in which they learn the duties of American citizens ? in order to assume the rights of American citizens. This orientation, which would be taught in immigrants’ native languages, would focus on important civic topics, including commitment to patriotism. I believe this type of orientation would help teach new immigrants American values and serve as an investment in our country’s future. Just as businesses let new hires know what is expected of them, new citizens should be informed and educated about America’s expectations and their own role in fulfilling them.