Top Immigration Expert: U.S. Elites Are Discouraging Assimilation — Calls for a National Recommitment to American Identity

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, warned that assimilation in the United States is weakening because many influential institutions no longer promote a shared American identity. In an interview, he said this cultural shift — combined with high immigration levels and modern technology that preserves ties to home countries — is making it harder for newcomers to fully integrate.

Elites, Identity and Assimilation

Krikorian argued that two main factors drive declining assimilation today: the volume of immigration and an "identity problem" among elites in government, business, education and religious institutions. He said many leaders now treat American identity skeptically, which in turn makes the idea of "Americanization" seem unwelcome or even improper.

"It's not the immigrants' doing. We have a problem where our leadership classes aren't really sure whether it is even a good thing to be an American," Krikorian said. He added that some treat national belonging as meaningless, likening living in the United States to living in different parts of the same state.

Political and Cultural Context

Krikorian also said parts of the political left increasingly view restrictions on immigration as discriminatory, a worldview that, in his view, makes enforcement measures appear immoral. He cautioned that enforcement alone will not resolve broader cultural challenges.

He noted demographic changes: the foreign-born share of the U.S. population is near 16 percent — higher than during the Ellis Island era — creating a scale of immigration the country has not previously experienced. At the same time, modern communication and travel make it easier for newcomers to maintain ties to their countries of origin, reducing pressure to reorient socially and culturally toward the United States.

"Newcomers don't have to really cut off ties in the way that they had to in the past," he said. "You can FaceTime home every day. You can hop on a plane and go to your cousin's wedding for a three-day weekend."

Proposed Response

As a remedy, Krikorian urged leaders at every level — from presidents to teachers — to reaffirm American identity and civic education. He suggested the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 presents an opportunity for a sustained, nationwide effort to teach civic values and build pride in shared national institutions.

"We have succeeded in Americanizing large numbers of people in the past from very different societies," he said. "It's harder to do now, but we can do it. We have a real serious challenge ahead of us, but they're challenges that we can meet if we respond."

This perspective reflects one view in the broader national debate about immigration, assimilation and civic identity. Krikorian's comments foreground cultural and educational approaches in addition to enforcement as parts of a comprehensive response.