Immigration -- what's the big deal?

Mainly, I am following this topic just to get some insight into different ways we could look at tackling immigration in this country, but I thought I would mention something, even though it is an anecdote, that could apply here.It actually can be offensive to individuals from Mexico to speak to them in Spanish as a white guy, especially with all the Right Wing talking points in this state about "You need to speak English" or "English only in classrooms".In most situations in AZ, I have never had an issue with speaking Spanish to the guys working with me in restaurants if they were Hispanic and they do often appreciate the attempt, however white man's Spanish it may be, to speak to them in their native tongue. However, a while back I began working at a restaurant and I needed something from one of the cooks, so I asked him for it in Spanish. His response was, "Hey, I speak English, not sure why you would think that I don't". I apologized and explained I was not trying to be offensive and him and I are good, but speaking English is sometimes a way to differentiate themselves from those that refuse to assimilate into the society they are joining. To him, assuming he would want to speak Spanish was placing him with those whom he considered as not wanting to be American more than Mexican.Now, this is a rare situation and definitely not the norm, so Cat Sci is correct that most times it would be appreciated. But, I can see how people could read offense into it.Also, in AZ a majority of us refer to "Brown People" as Hispanics until we can clarify where they come from. I agree that calling someone a Mexican is not racist (more a descriptor), but I did once offend someone who was mostly Spanish by referring to him as a Mexican before I got to know him.