Comedian Bill Maher stated on his HBO show "Real Time" that immigrants must assimilate to American culture and embrace core values such as gay rights, women's equality, and free speech, describing these principles as liberal and not exclusive to any single race.
Maher criticized both Democratic and Republican approaches to immigration, suggesting a return to a historical American practice of "stealing hard-working, talented immigrants from around the world and making them Americans." He expressed concern that a shift in attitude among some new arrivals might lead them to reject assimilation, with some adopting a "you melt" mentality towards the concept of a melting pot.
"If you want the American dream, you have to take the American values," Maher asserted. He emphasized that while immigrants are welcome to share their culture, food, and traditions, certain fundamental values are non-negotiable.
"But you have to answer one question: Do you like Western civilization? Because that’s what we are. And that’s not negotiable," he said. He listed practices such as honor killings, restrictions on women's visibility, polygamy, and female genital mutilation as examples of what he considers incompatible with American, or more specifically, liberal values.
Maher's remarks drew a response from Nicole Kreisberg, an assistant professor at Penn State University's School of Public Policy and Department of Sociology. Kreisberg argued that Maher's historical framing was incorrect, suggesting that American identity has historically been built more on assimilation than a "melting pot" ideal.
"Throughout history, the U.S. state has actually built up systems to discourage immigrants from pursuing this ‘melting pot’ strategy," Kreisberg told Fox News Digital. "Immigrants often face discrimination for speaking languages other than English in public; and for immigrants to advance in their US careers, they often must speak English."
Kreisberg also noted that historical assimilation was often easier for immigrants of European descent compared to racial minorities. She pointed out that while historical groups like the Irish and Italians were eventually able to assimilate and be considered "White" Americans, contemporary immigrants face ongoing discrimination due to racialization, regardless of their assimilation efforts.
During his segment, Maher specifically questioned the stance of congressional candidate Melissa Chaudhry, a progressive Democrat, who reportedly stated that her website did not emphasize LGBTQ+ rights because "a lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately." Maher criticized this as a potential instance of progressive policy prioritizing certain groups over others, particularly when it clashes with the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
He also referenced activist Linda Sarsour's statement that "Our number one priority is our community. It is not to assimilate." Maher countered this by using an analogy of moving to Japan and attempting to change its cultural norms.
Concluding his argument, Maher dismissed accusations of Islamophobia, stating his concern is about the replacement of liberal values with illiberal ones, rather than demographic changes or racial composition. He maintained that respect for fundamental rights protected by the country is essential for anyone living in the United States.