Living in a foreign country

It's actually very hard to live in a foreign country and not speak the language. You wouldn't be able to understand street signs, watch television, find out what's on the news, read newspapers, speak to the doctor, buy things at the supermarket. Hence almost everyone who moves abriad picks up something. When people say they arn't fluent, they mean they can understand what's being said but are afraid to speak because they mangle the grammar. The only time where you can get away with being abroad and not speak the language is if you are in some sort of ghetto. eg Brits in Spain often surround themselves with other brits and only shop in shops owned by other Brits where the proprietor speaks English, and insist on reading English newspapers etc. It would probably be easier if they learnt some Spanish - less work!

Yes, they have that right if they so chose, but don't expect the natives to like it.