El Pasoans react to Britain prime minister’s English requirement for Muslim women

Britain’s prime minister is feeling the heat after he said Muslim women must learn English, or else face being deported

David Cameron pledged more than $28 million dollars to teach English to Muslim women as a way to fight extremism, social isolation and discrimination. Some 190,000 Muslim women in England speak little or no English. Cameron emphasized, Britain has expectations for those who want to live in the country.

His comments sparked a question many of you are answering on our Facebook page: “Should speaking a specific language be a requirement to live in a country?”

A lot of viewers answered, yes, you should have to speak a specific language to live in a certain country, while others disagree.

“It sounds really unfair and ignorant ,” one El Pasoan said. “I feel you should just accept other people as they are.”

A local Muslim said while he agrees learning English is beneficial, targeting only one religion is discrimination.

“The Muslim, all of them are bad for example, this is not the case.” he said. “Go ahead and read the message and decide for yourself. Don’t let the media or the prime minister judge for you.”

Immigration attorney Ouisa Davis said the stigma for those who don’t speak English is alive and well, even here in the borderland.

“I’ve witnessed people trying to purchase things in stores or restaurants, you know, the staff either doesn’t want to serve them or is very rude to them because they don’t speak either English.”