Last Saturday (March 1, 2025), United States President Donald Trump signed a historic executive order that makes English the country’s official language. This decision represents a significant change in the linguistic policy of the United States, which until then had no defined official language. The measure prohibits any communication and service in federal agencies from being carried out in another language, something that generates great debate among different segments of society. This action reflects the president’s quest to promote greater unification, but also raises questions about the impacts on immigrant communities that rely on other languages to communicate.
The decision to make English the official language of the United States is a response to a growing demand from sectors that defend the need for a point of cohesion for the nation. English, despite being widely spoken in the country, was never made official, in part due to the multicultural integration model adopted by the United States. In his justification, Trump stated that the English language is fundamental to maintaining a unified and cohesive society, highlighting that important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, were written in English.
Trump’s executive order not only establishes English as the official language, but also prohibits any communication and service in other languages in federal agencies. Currently, the United States requires public agencies to offer services in other languages, mainly to serve the large immigrant population, such as Latin Americans, who make up 19% of the country’s population. The new decree marks a change in the treatment of linguistic minorities, who may be impacted by the lack of services in their native languages.
The impact of this change will be significant, especially in communities that speak other languages, such as Spanish, Chinese and Arabic. Many Americans speak languages other than English at home, with about 22% of the population using a different language in their daily lives, according to the US Census. With the new order, these citizens may face additional difficulties when interacting with the federal government, without the assistance that was previously mandatory. This measure could make inclusion and accessibility difficult for many people, especially in areas with a large diversity of immigrants.
In several states, English was already adopted as an official language, but Trump’s action is the first time that the language will be officially recognized at a national level. The issue of language has always been a controversial topic in the United States, a country that has historically promoted the integration of immigrants from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The multilingualism policy has allowed many communities to maintain their native languages, but the change now proposed by the president could force a significant adaptation for these groups.
Critics of the measure argue that, by making English the only official language, Trump may be undermining the spirit of inclusion that characterizes the United States. The ban on services in other languages can be seen as a form of exclusion for millions of immigrants, making it difficult for them to fully integrate into society. Furthermore, this action could increase inequality in access to essential services, such as health, education and social benefits, especially affecting the most vulnerable among immigrants.
On the other hand, supporters of the measure believe that the officialization of English will bring benefits to social cohesion and government efficiency. For many, having a common language will help reduce communication barriers and make public administration more agile and effective. The executive order aims to ensure that American citizens, regardless of their background, can more directly engage in the civic process and interactions with government without relying on interpreters or translations.
Trump’s decision to make English the official language of the United States is just one of the many changes he has promoted in his administration. The measure generates intense debate about the future of language policy in the country, and how it will affect the rich cultural diversity of the United States. With the immigrant population growing and becoming increasingly significant, the pressure on the government to strike a balance between linguistic unity and social inclusion will likely continue to be a central theme in American politics.
