Submitted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Asian Americans Advancing Justice vehemently condemns the recently issued executive order by President Trump mandating English as the official U.S. language, which represents another deeply troubling and racist attack on immigrant communities.
This executive order is an assault on the fundamental rights of millions of Americans with limited English proficiency. It undermines decades of progress and attempts to create a permanent underclass of individuals who will face greater barriers to receive essential services on the basis of language ability and be denied equitable access because racism is now ruling the White House.
At its core, this action is an attempt to silence and marginalize immigrant communities: to disregard the needs of communities who rely on language access to engage fully in society. This is another move rooted in white supremacy and nationalism.
Language barriers have long hindered civic engagement and access to essential services, particularly within Asian American communities, which is comprised of 50 different ethnicities and over 100 languages and dialects. Nearly one-third (31.2%) of Asian American adults face challenges communicating in English, underscoring the critical need for language assistance in democratic participation, health care access and use of social services. By eliminating mandates that require agencies to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency can access their services, the administration effectively is trying to marginalize millions of Americans who contribute to our nation.
This executive order will have devastating consequences for individuals with limited English proficiency, including:
Health care: This order has the potential to exacerbate existing health disparities within immigrant communities. It will create a chilling effect, discouraging individuals from seeking necessary medical care, leading to preventable illnesses and deaths.
Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response: In times of crisis, access to critical information, aid and support should be universally accessible. This order will create barriers for individuals with limited English proficiency seeking assistance during natural disasters, leaving them vulnerable and further endangering their lives.
Language Accessibility: This executive order is an act of calculated harm, designed to keep people in a state of marginalization – leaving it to each federal agency to determine access to multilingual resources. Access to in-language material is a key component to successful integration into American society.
This executive order is a direct assault on linguistic and cultural diversity. In addition to the policy implications, this order gives power to racist attacks against immigrants – threatening the everyday safety of families and communities in public spaces.
The U.S. has never had an official language, which has never hindered our national unity, strength or growth. Rather, it has helped create a country where we could celebrate our diversity, and anyone could contribute and participate without concern for their English fluency. Asian Americans Advancing Justice will not stand idly by while our communities are targeted and marginalized. We will utilize every resource at our disposal to challenge this unjust policy, advocate for the rights of immigrant communities, and fight for a society where everyone can thrive.
We call on all individuals and organizations committed to justice and equality to join us in this fight.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of four leading Asian American civil rights organizations committed to advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and building a more just society for all.