A viral social media debate is drawing attention to an uncomfortable question for immigration activists and cultural progressives alike: If assimilation into mainstream American culture is so important, why don’t critics ever complain about the Amish?
The discussion began after a video highlighting the health and lifestyle practices of Amish communities circulated online. Before long, the conversation shifted away from agriculture and wellness and toward a broader political argument about immigration, cultural identity, and what it actually means to become American.
Some social media users pointed out that Amish communities often maintain distinct traditions, dress differently from the broader population, educate their children in separate systems, and generally resist many aspects of modern culture. Yet they are rarely criticized as a threat to national unity or social cohesion.
Setting aside half the misinformation in this post, the Amish are also clearly a community that refuses to assimilate to American society.
And yet no one on the right seems to care. Curious. https://t.co/fMQpg5EZqk
— Joshua Reed Eakle 🗽 (@JoshEakle) June 29, 2026
The comparison was then extended to debates surrounding immigration and assimilation, with some users arguing that critics apply very different standards depending on the group involved.
The Amish population, estimated at more than 400,000 nationwide, has grown steadily for decades while maintaining many of the religious and cultural practices that have defined Amish communities since their arrival in North America centuries ago. Despite their separation from much of modern life, Amish communities are generally known for low crime rates, strong family structures, local self-sufficiency, and limited reliance on government programs.
Yeah so the difference here Joshua is that the Amish are Americans that are citizens and are here legally and love the country.
And who “the right” want deported are those here illegally, are not citizens, and hate the country.
They may live differently, but they are not… pic.twitter.com/FpsjFDVj1p
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) June 30, 2026
Is becoming American primarily about adopting a particular culture, or is it about embracing a common set of civic values?
The United States has historically accommodated a wide range of religious, ethnic, and cultural communities, from Orthodox Jews and Mennonites to Cajuns, Hasidic Jews, Native American tribes, and countless immigrant populations that preserved elements of their heritage while participating in American civic life.
For many observers, the Amish example highlights the distinction between cultural uniqueness and rejection of American institutions.
While Amish communities maintain a separate way of life, they generally respect the nation’s laws, avoid political confrontation, contribute economically, and do not seek to transform the broader culture to conform to their religious beliefs. That distinction has become central to ongoing debates about immigration, integration, and national identity.
This argument drives progressives absolutely crazy because it exposes a fundamental truth they don’t want to admit.
The Amish don’t assimilate into modern American culture. They don’t binge Netflix. They don’t obsess over social media. They don’t spend all day arguing on TikTok.
Many don’t drive cars. Many reject large chunks of modern technology. Their clothing looks like it came from another century.
By every superficial measure, they are dramatically less “assimilated” than the average immigrant family living in Dallas, Miami, Phoenix, or New York. Yet nobody worries about the Amish.
Why?
Because deep down, Americans understand something the political class refuses to acknowledge. The issue was never whether people eat different foods, wear different clothes, speak with an accent, worship differently, or preserve their traditions. The issue is whether they accept the basic rules of the American game.
The Amish don’t spend their time demanding America remake itself around Amish values. They aren’t trying to force everyone else to live like they do. They aren’t launching nationwide campaigns insisting that every institution rewrite itself to accommodate their beliefs.
They simply live their lives. And that’s exactly why nobody cares.
The Left loves to talk about “assimilation,” but what many activists really mean is ideological conformity. They don’t care whether newcomers become culturally American. They care whether newcomers embrace the correct political worldview.
The Amish accidentally expose the scam. They are living proof that America has never required everyone to look alike, think alike, dress alike, or live alike.
What America requires is something much simpler: respect the Constitution, obey the law, work hard, contribute to your community, and leave your neighbors alone.
The Amish figured that out a long time ago.
THE DAILY BS SOURCES:
- JD Vance says America should learn from the Amish on family and community
- The Amish population continues rapid growth in the United States
- How long until we’re all Amish? Population growth and demographic trends
- 15 myths about immigration debunked (including labor shortage claims)
