Assimilation is one of the most critical aspects of any successful immigration system. It determines whether an aspiring migrant will be able to adapt to a nation\u2019s values, laws, and culture. And no, this type of assimilation doesn\u2019t mean that one must throw away all of the cultural heritage that makes a person who they are. Rather, it means that they must reconcile their heritage with the laws and values of the nation they wish to join.<\/p>\n
A breaking story in New Hampshire highlights the importance of this concept. According to court records obtained by the New Hampshire Union Leader, a prosecutor dropped domestic violence charges against Augustin Bahati, a Congolese refugee, when she unilaterally decided<\/a> \u201cthat he lacked the cultural competency to participate in the American justice system.\u201d In essence, this means that the prosecutor determined Bahati was still so rooted in his old culture \u2013 where domestic violence is presumably acceptable \u2013 that he was incapable of being legally responsible for violating American domestic abuse laws.<\/p>\n In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Bahati is originally from, sexual abuse and domestic violence are commonplace. In fact, The DRC is often referred to as \u201cthe rape capital of the world.\u201d Throughout the 20-year, ongoing civil war within the republic\u2019s borders, the Brooking\u2019s Institution estimates that as many as 48 rapes occur every hour<\/a>, largely stemming from members of rival militias. In addition, there are very few laws on the books aimed at protecting women from spousal abuse.<\/p>\n This decision is highly troubling, especially since Bahati\u2019s alleged crimes include \u201cstriking, pushing, grabbing, kicking and pulling out the hair\u201d of a woman who was 27 weeks pregnant, according to the Union Leader. What the Manchester prosecutor seems to be saying, is that Bahati\u2019s domestic abuse should be tolerated, because he is new to the United States and still acting according to the moral and legal standards of his native country.<\/p>\n This reasoning makes little sense when all the facts are considered. According to documents obtained from the court, Bahati had already participated in classes<\/a> designed to help new refugees understand the American legal system, including domestic abuse laws. Bahati should have known better. But even if he didn\u2019t, it makes no difference. In the United States, ignorance of the law has never been considered an adequate defense for a crime.<\/p>\n