Response to Trump executive order designating English the official language of US

On March 1, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States and revoking Executive Order 13166, issued in 2000, which was instrumental in improving access to federal, state, and local programs and services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP), as protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The American Translators Association (ATA), along with five of the nation’s leading professional organizations from the language services sector across the United States, has issued a joint statement strongly opposing Executive Order 14224.

The coalition urges the administration to rescind Executive Order 14224 and reaffirm its commitment to language access policies that protect civil rights and promote economic and social integration.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be holding a public briefing, “Language Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency,” on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. EDT (9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. in Austin) at their offices in Washington, DC. This event is open to the public and translators and interpreters are encouraged to attend, either virtually or in person, in support of language access for LEP individuals.
More information.