The Power of Reading: Why Immigrants Must Read to Thrive in America

In today’s fast-paced digital world, even elite college students struggle to read books. Professors at some of the top universities in the country are noticing a disturbing trend: students can’t keep up with full-length books, let alone deeply engage with them. Instead, they rely on short excerpts, summaries, and quick takes from social media. This problem starts in high school, where many students are no longer required to read entire books, and by the time they reach college, they are unprepared for the demands of higher education.

For immigrants, the stakes are even higher. Reading is not just a skill—it is a lifeline. It is how you learn English, understand the laws that govern your life, and teach your children to succeed in school and beyond. At Amba Law Immigration Solutions, we know firsthand what reading can do because our founder, Attorney Yasin G. Amba, built his future on it.

How Attorney Amba Learned English and American Culture Through Reading

When Attorney Yasin G. Amba arrived in the U.S. in 5th grade, he couldn’t count to ten in English. He had no formal English education before starting school, and like many immigrant children, he had to catch up fast. But he didn’t just learn English—he mastered it.

How? By reading.

Attorney Amba developed a love for books early. Reading wasn’t just about learning words—it was about understanding the world. He read everything he could get his hands on, from textbooks to novels, from legal documents to historical accounts. Through books, he not only learned the English language but also how America works.

That habit didn’t just help him survive—it helped him thrive. It allowed him to:

✔ Earn a law degree from a prestigious Virginia law school.
✔ Become a public defender, then a corporate lawyer, then the founder of his own immigration law firm.
✔ Advocate for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who need a voice.

Reading changed Attorney Amba’s life. It can change yours too.

Why Immigrants Must Read to Succeed

1. Reading Helps You Learn English Faster

Many immigrants believe they will “pick up” English naturally. While exposure helps, nothing improves language skills faster than reading.

✔ Books teach vocabulary and grammar in context.
✔ Reading improves speaking and writing skills.
✔ Strong readers have more confidence in job interviews and daily interactions.

Think of English like a new country. Reading is your passport. Without it, you are navigating without a map.

2. Reading Helps You Understand Your Rights

Immigrants in America face complicated legal and bureaucratic systems. Without strong reading skills, it is easy to miss important deadlines, misunderstand contracts, or fall victim to fraud.

✔ Reading helps you understand legal forms, tenant rights, and employment laws.
✔ It prevents you from being exploited by landlords, employers, or scam artists.
✔ It helps you prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam, which includes reading and writing portions.

When you know how to read legal documents, you empower yourself. You no longer have to rely on someone else to explain your rights—you can read them for yourself.

3. Reading Helps Your Children Succeed in School

Many immigrant parents believe schools will teach their children everything they need to know. But today’s education system is failing to prepare students for the real world.

📚 Many schools no longer assign full books—only excerpts and short passages.
📚 Students struggle with deep reading, critical thinking, and long-form comprehension.
📚 Even elite college students cannot finish assigned readings.

If parents do not encourage reading at home, their children will fall behind.

✔ Children who read at home have stronger vocabulary and writing skills.
✔ They perform better in school, on standardized tests, and in college.
✔ Reading helps them retain their native language while mastering English.

You must teach your children to love books, or they will grow up unprepared for a world that still values deep knowledge.

How to Build a Reading Culture in Your Family

If you want to build a better life in America, you must build a culture of reading in your home. Here’s how:

📖 Read every day, even if it’s just a few pages.
📖 Visit the library—it’s free!
📖 Encourage your children to read both in English and your native language.
📖 Limit screen time—replace some phone time with book time.
📖 Discuss books with your kids and show them that reading is important.

Reading is not just about school—it is about thinking critically, understanding the world, and making informed decisions.

Conclusion: Read to Conquer

Attorney Amba’s journey from an immigrant child who couldn’t speak English to a successful attorney was made possible by reading.

If you are an immigrant, reading is not optional—it is essential. It is how you learn the language, understand your rights, support your family, and create a future where your children do not feel like outsiders.

At Amba Law Immigration Solutions, we do more than help you navigate the immigration system. We help you build a life where you belong. And it starts with a simple but powerful tool: a book.

📘 “If you can read, you can teach yourself anything. If you can teach yourself anything, you can change your life.” – Attorney Yasin G. Amba

Legal Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney