Donald Trump has now signed an executive order that makes English the official language of the United States of America.
Trump has signed an influx of orders since he was sworn back into office on January 20, with one of his most recent signings marking a first for the country.
The US has never had an ‘official language’, but on Saturday (March 1), Trump signed an order making English the country’s designated dialect.
What does the order say?
“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,” says the order.
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“In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream,” the order also states.
“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.”
How the change will impact people
Firstly, there’s now no longer a Spanish-language version of the official White House website. This was initially taken down when Trump returned to office in January. However, after the change sparked controversy, the White House pledged to restore the Spanish-language site.
As of yesterday, this was yet to have happened, and it’s unlikely to ever be restored in the wake of the new order.
The order also means that federally funded organizations now have the option to discontinue offering documents and services in languages other than English, says The Independent.
Those going through the progress of becoming a US citizen will now have to take an English test.
As part of the test, they must ‘demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English’, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, NBC News reports.
With this in mind, it’s expected that becoming a US citizen will now be more difficult than before.
What have people said about the order?
The order has been met with criticizm by many – one person being George Carrillo, co-founder & CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council.
He has said of the change, as per the Los Angeles Times: “This executive order, while framed as promoting unity, risks dismantling critical supports like ESL programs and multilingual resources that help immigrants adapt and contribute.
“Imagine families navigating healthcare or legal systems without materials in a language they understand, it’s a barrier, not a bridge.”
Anabel Mendoza, the communications director for United We Dream, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy organization, has also hit out at the country’s newly appointed official language.
“Trump is trying to send the message that if you’re not white, rich and speak English you don’t belong here,” Mendoza said.
“Let me be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he can’t erase us.”
In contrast, Vice President JD Vance branded the new order as ‘commonsense legislation’.
He said: “This commonsense legislation recognizes an inherent truth: English is the language of this country. That is why the overwhelming majority of the American people support this proposal.
“The English language has been a cornerstone of American culture for over 250 years. It is far past time for Congress to codify its place into law, which is exactly what this bill does.”
