The poster you are responding to is making a utilitarian moral argument. You are referencing a novel that explores the a common source of crime (poverty) and the chain of events that follows.
I teach Intro to Computer Science to (mostly) economics majors.
I currently have four Chinese students (out of 45 total), all of whom go through the right motions. They sit in the front of the class, they ask questions after lecture, etc... The types of things your mother would tell you to do so the professor "knows your name".
All four exhibit a significant language barrier. Although... I don't think that is the only thing hampering their performance.
I personally know how hard it can be to learn in a different language environment (I took a university class held in Finland and it was tough to say the least). Luckily, it was a math class and I was able to eke out good marks.
At the risk of sounding cynical, and not wanting to paint a picture of all Chinese students, I get the vibe from mine that they are really just there to get a degree, not to learn AT ALL. Hey... so are many of my WASPy students, let's not kid ourselves. But it's something about the way my Chinese kids want accommodation solely by going through the motions, as if just showing up to class and sitting up front guarantees you an A. I just don't see the real effort on their behalf.