Regarding William A. Galston’s “Immigration Reaches Critical Mass” (op-ed, Nov. 23): I would argue that the U.S. needs a bit more than an emphasis on English proficiency to facilitate the assimilation of immigrants. The intense socialization process associated with military service would make immigrants more solid citizens.

One unintended consequence of the termination of the U.S. military draft in 1973 was a more limited ability of the U.S. to assimilate and integrate immigrants. W.E.B. Du Bois made the point that African-Americans...