The Iowa House may send a mixed message this week by trying to make English the state’s official language.

The bill would declare English as the official language for various state reports and publications. But it doesn’t make any sense.

Currently, all of the effected documents are published in English only. Passing a bill would be a moot point. It seems ludicrous to pass a bill for something that is already in effect.

This bill is simply a security blanket for people who are afraid of immigrants.

Throughout history, Americans have feared immigrants because they were new competition for jobs. But these fears hold no merit in our time. Iowa now has a worker shortage and a problem with people leaving the state.

Iowa should open its doors to immigrants to further diversify the state and help quell the shortage of workers. But this bill will discourage immigrants from coming to this state because they will feel threatened.

Iowa is very white, and a majority of Iowans speak English. Immigrants have to learn English to work, communicate and live.

It would be different if this were California, where immigrants would not have a problem communicating. But this is Iowa — you need to know English.

With immigrants needing to know English to survive in this state, passing a bill to make them learn English is not worth the paper it is written on.

The “You come to this country, you’d better know English” argument doesn’t hold any water. It contradicts what America was founded on.

America is a land of opportunity, a melting pot. America is composed of ethnic groups from every country in the world with various languages.

Immigrants often don’t know English when they cross the border, but reality sets in, and they soon realize that knowing English is a necessity.

The bill would establish a center to help immigrants learn English and settle in Iowa, but this can be done without making English the official language.

Immigrants need help and motivation to learn English, but forcing it upon them is not going to help them learn any faster.

Learning centers are pivotal to the success of immigrants and this state. With an influx in recent years of refugees from Bosnia, Sudan and a growing Hispanic and Asian population, Iowa needs to welcome our new neighbors.

The best way to welcome new neighbors is to help them start a new life, not threaten them.