This makes a lot of sense and it should really be more common procedure, regardless of whether immigrants are refugees or those just trying to start a new life

This makes a lot of sense and it should really be more common procedure, regardless of whether immigrants are refugees or those just trying to start a new life in a different country. Every country has its own set of cultural norms and these can be thought of as a protocol. When individuals don't perform on the same protocol, you get a tragedy of the commons effect. This is why I think multicultural societies often breed mistrust[0]. That's not to say that multiculturalism is at fault, only that individuals joining a new society may not be aware of the protocol (i.e. individuals can have more than one protocol). An open society should embrace helping newcomers speak this new protocol, as it would benefit their society as a whole for all citizens and soon-to-be-citizens to understand what cultural norms unite that society and move it forward. Instead of isolating immigrants in ghettos and enclaves, it seems it would be beneficial to everyone if these new immigrants are sponsored by others citizens to help them assimilate faster rather than left alienated and neglected. I understand this may not be a natural thing for us, since it seems we have a very tribal instinct. I think teaching integration and embracing/helping immigrants should be something taught at a very early age so its an accepted part of society. 0. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2007.00176.x/abstract;jsessionid=3D8FE906BBB77A4AADC4C5190D705FD6.f04t01 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2007....