President Donald Trump has signed an executive order making English the official language of the United States. The order, issued on Saturday, aims to bring unity to the country, which has long been shaped by immigration from around the world.
The White House announced the decision, stating that it is “long past time” for the U.S. to have an official language.
“A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language,” the order states.
The move revokes a mandate from the 1990s under former President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding to provide assistance in languages other than English. However, agencies will still have some flexibility in deciding how much language support they will continue to offer.
“Nothing in this order… requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency,” the document clarifies. It further states that agency heads have the power to determine how best to serve the public while ensuring that English remains the primary language of communication.
A Controversial Move Amid Legal Challenges
Since taking office, Trump has issued numerous executive orders, many of which have sparked controversy and legal challenges. His latest action on language policy is expected to generate similar debates.
Critics argue that the order could reduce access to essential government services for millions of Americans who speak languages other than English. According to government statistics from 2019, nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. Of these, more than 40 million speak Spanish, while millions of others communicate in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other immigrant languages.
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Native American languages, which predate English in North America, also contribute to the country’s linguistic diversity. Opponents of the order fear that reducing multilingual services could further marginalize these groups.
An immigrant rights advocate, Maria Gonzalezv said, “This is a step backward. America has always been a nation of immigrants, and this decision ignores the reality that millions of people here rely on languages other than English to access healthcare, education, and other critical services.”
However, supporters of the move argue that having a designated official language promotes national unity and efficiency.
A political analyst, John Mitchell said, “English has been the language of our government from the very beginning. Our historic documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, were written in English. This order simply acknowledges that fact.”
A Changing Linguistic Landscape
While English is the dominant language in the U.S., the country remains one of the most linguistically diverse in the world. More than 350 languages are spoken across the nation, reflecting its deep immigrant roots.
Despite this, the executive order argues that English has always been central to the nation’s identity.
“From the founding of our Republic, English has been the language of governance,” the document states.
The long-term impact of Trump’s order remains unclear. While it does not immediately eliminate multilingual services, it signals a shift in government policy that could affect how agencies interact with non-English-speaking communities in the future.