Of course there is going to be a preference for those that will integrate easily. Why wouldn't there be?
The Irish didn't go over there and "civilise" anyone so that argument doesn't apply.
Poles, Ukrainians, Latvians, Lithuanians and other Europeans have come here in numbers and they've been welcomed because they integrated. Many folks from African nations too.
Syrians.... Not so much integrating.
Edit: To be clear I'm not in the anti immigration camp. I just think a preference for those of similar culture or who will integrate is natural.