English as a official language

On February 23, The Washington Post published an article of Petula Dvorak about Frederick County forces immigrants to speak English

First, one of the things that makes a nation a nation is a common language. The author makes a great case for the need to have English designated as the official language of the US. It would save the federal and state governments billions by reducing redundant printings of government forms (and websites).

We should gladly accept immigrants... those who have an education or skills, who know or want to learn English, who can support themselves and want to be Americans and join us. If you come here, it should be because you want to be an American, and that means speaking English to communicate with us. 

Petula sadly misses the real point, which is that, when you immigrate, you are expected to confirm to the culture that you are now living in. English should be the only language offered anywhere for all services as a matter of law. Don't like it? Then go back where you came from. 

Though I found this article to be a little confusing. Her personal story about herself and her parents is sweet and show how learning a country's predominant language helps immigrants by giving examples of common experience of all Americans, but her conclusion that English-only supporters are xenophobes makes the whole article contradictory. 

"The folks who pushed for this legislation in Frederick aren’t doing it because they want to commune with their new neighbors. They aren’t offering English immersion classes or anything else constructive". Frederick Community College does exactly what she accuses them of not doing. Dvorak generally is pretty weak on actually making any conclusion. 

We welcome anyone here who wants to become American. But the very first step to becoming American is to speak English. All you have to do is try: we are very happy to teach you.