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In a presidential action, President Donald Trump designated English as the official language of the United States on March 1, 2025.
“A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society,” says the executive order. “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 applies to federal agencies.
Trump’s order does not require or direct any change in services currently provided.
“Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American people,” says the order. “Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English.”
The order revokes former President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 13166, signed on Aug. 11, 2000, titled “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.”
Here is Clinton’s order, which sought to “improve access to federally conducted and federally assisted programs and activities for persons who, as a result of national origin, are limited in their English proficiency (LEP).”
In 2024, the U.S. Justice Department marked the 24th anniversary of Clinton’s order, noting “At its core, the Order acknowledges the fundamental principle that the federal government must be able to understand and communicate with all people in the United States, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP), to keep our country and communities safe and prosperous.”
Communication is critical to our mission. For over two decades, the department has worked in partnership with federal agencies and stakeholders to eliminate language barriers to federal and federally funded programs or services. Misunderstandings can lead to tragic consequences in emergency situations, health care systems, and the justice system. Indeed, communicating with and understanding people with LEP is critical to enforcing the law, protecting the environment, providing housing or food assistance, promoting student achievement, ensuring public health and upholding economic prosperity and justice. When government agencies provide, for example, translations of vital documents or offer an interpreter during important conversations or hearings, we enhance the effectiveness of federal and federally funded programs and services, ensuring they reach and benefit all intended communities.
According to the most recent data from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, “In North Carolina, approximately one-fifth of the public school student population reports a primary language other than English spoken in the home.”
In December 2023, DPI reported that 389 languages spoken in homes across the state.
