President Trump has signed the 78th Executive Order of his second term, designating English as the official language of the US.
The order allows government agencies and organisations that receive federal funding to choose whether they want to offer documents and services in languages other than English.
“Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society,” stated the March 1 order.
US educators and rights groups have disputed the White House’s claims that the directive will “promote unity, ensure consistency in government operations and create pathways to civic engagement”.
While the policy is unlikely to immediately affect English teaching programs, critics have warned it will alienate immigrants and create barriers to public services including education for English learners in the US.
“This order deprives individuals of full access to federal services and stands opposed to the rule of law, legal precedent and federal guidance,” said TESOL, the association of teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
The directive revokes a mandate from former president Clinton that directed federal agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
At the same time, it claims to recognise and celebrate the “long tradition” of multilingualism and stops short of ordering agencies to stop the production of documents and services offered in languages other than English.
“Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society,” it states.
This order deprives individuals of full access to federal services and stands opposed to the rule of law
TESOL International Association
Responding to the “reckless” order, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus said it was a “thinly veiled attempt to allow federal agencies to discriminate against immigrants and individuals with limited English proficiency”.
While more than three-quarters of Americans speak only English at home, the US is home to 42 million Spanish speakers and three million Chinese speakers.
In 1974, the landmark supreme court case of Lau v. Nichols said that schools must provide English learners with the ability to overcome educational barriers due to language difference, a ruling that the most recent order stands in opposition to, acccording to TESOL.
“This Executive Order stands in stark contrast to our nation’s rich and vibrant multilingual and multicultural past, present and future,” the group said.
It added that the directive went against the Civil Rights Act which states that schools must not discriminate against any person in the US based on race, colour, or national origin – including language.
Policymakers have tried for decades to establish English as the official language in the US, with Republican members of the House introducing legislation that failed to pass in 2021.
Within hours of Trump’s second presidential term, the Spanish-language version of the official White House website was removed. At the time of writing on March 6, it has not been restored.
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