“This order designates English as the official language of the United States.” —Exec. Order No. 14224.
With President Donald Trump’s reelection, many anticipated sweeping changes to American life. From economic policies to foreign relations, the United States was poised for a dramatic transformation—whether for better or worse. In early March, the administration made a bold move, designating English as the official federal language.
Previously, the U.S. was among the short list of nations with no official language, alongside the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, and Eritrea. While the Trump administration justified its decision by claiming that English has always been the majority-spoken language, this move undermines the very essence of the American Dream.
The American Dream
Like any other nation, the United States has its own mythos and rich history. From its beginnings with the Pilgrims to its efforts in foreign lands, the U.S. has imagined itself as a land of opportunity and a protector of the marginalized. The “American Dream” clearly represents this ideal—the idea that anyone, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or even language, could prosper provided they work hard. This long-held belief contributed to the rapid immigration America experienced.
While this ideal may not be as universally agreed upon today, its impact has contributed to a sense that America is a country of immigrants. The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for 675,000 permanent visas to be granted, and with 14.3 % of the population being foreign-born, the United States continues to offer those from other nations the ideals of achieving a successful life.
Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224 erodes a key component of opportunity in the United States. While its impact is still to be determined, the order sends a message for any incoming immigrants: English is necessary for success, and without it, you won’t achieve the American Dream. Is understanding English essential for communication in everyday life? Yes—it is by far the most prevalent language in the U.S., with 78.3% of Americans speaking only English at home. However, establishing English as the official language imparts the impression that other languages are second-class and restricts those who have access to the American Dream.
While English has long been the de facto language in the U.S., the change to de jure runs counter to the idea of freedom and celebration of individuality. The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment prevents the government from establishing an official religion, protecting private practice. Just as the lack of a state religion ensures that anyone from a minority religion is not forced to conform to another faith, the absence of an official language encourages linguistic inclusivity. By making English the official language, the government risks sending a message that other languages and cultures are of lesser importance, further marginalizing those whose first language is not English.
Though this may seem like a minor change with little immediate legal effect, the order raises important questions: what comes next? Will the current administration stop at officially adopting English, or will other limitations follow?
Minority Recognition
Executive Order No. 14224 is not the first occurrence concerning making English the official language. In 1780, John Adams proposed making English the official language of the United States, but the Continental Congress rejected it as “undemocratic and a threat to individual liberty.” While language is a form of communication, it’s also a vital link to one’s heritage, community, and identity. As the United States becomes ever more diverse, it is crucial that every group feels valued and included, regardless of the language they speak.
Compare this to our neighbor Canada, where two official languages—English and French—are recognized. According to the country’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the designation of multiple official languages ensures equality of status and protects linguistic minorities. In the U.S., with over 350 languages spoken nationwide, the need for similar inclusivity is even greater. The new executive order does not prohibit or restrict the use of the languages, but by prioritizing English, it subtly diminishes the significance of minority languages. A few languages emphasized over the hundred others runs counter to the hope for an inclusive America.
Naturally, the order has some benefits for certain sectors. For example, previously, healthcare providers receiving federal funding must provide language access accommodations for patients with limited English proficiency. However, this requirement has been eliminated by Trump’s order. Now, healthcare providers will not have to pay for translators. Instead, patients are expected to know enough English to, say, communicate with their doctor. However, these expectations are unrealistic in certain parts of the country and can pose significant risks to informed consent and the delivery of effective patient care.
Homogeneous communities where people speak languages other than English have existed in the United States since the 1800s. Many of these communities are comprised of working residents who never needed to learn English. These individuals have built lives in environments where communication in their native tongue suffices. Yet, this executive order makes no provisions to ensure that people learn English, but instead reduces the protections for those who don’t speak it fluently.
The administration defends the order by claiming it “celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English.” Perhaps that is true for U.S. citizens, but for those attempting to gain citizenship, the change makes the process even more difficult. Previously, applicants with specific age and residency qualifications could take their citizenship test and interview in their native language. This order threatens that option for those already navigating a complicated immigration process.
It should also be noted that the Trump administration shut down the Spanish-language White House website page and its X account under the handle “LaCasaBlanca.” Trump previously removed the page in his first term. In a country where 13.8% of the population speaks solely Spanish in their household, these decisions give the impression that only one language, English, will be tolerated.
The Order’s Narrative
“The English language has been a cornerstone of American culture for over 250 years,” — then Sen. JD Vance stated in 2023.
In reality, this order will have little tangible effect. English was already the dominant language in America. Of those who spoke a language other than English at home, about 70% still spoke English “very well.” Establishing English as the official language is unlikely to encourage more immigrants to learn it, especially when 54% of immigrants are already proficient in English. Put simply, most jobs already require some understanding of the language. Not to mention that more than 30 states already had laws designating English as an official language.
Both sides of my family immigrated from Asia. My father was born on an American military base in Guam after his parents fled Vietnam, and my mother immigrated from China when she was nine years old. Despite Presidents Ford and Reagan never making such an order, my family still learned English. Perhaps they knew it because there were few Asian communities in Tennessee and Alabama where they could rely on their native language. Or perhaps it was because they felt that understanding English was necessary to achieving success.
With this order, the administration sends a clear message: English is the norm, and if you don’t learn it, you risk falling behind. The problem arises because the U.S. government, which was founded on unalienable rights such as liberty, is embracing that message. While residents are free to use any language they prefer, protections for those who are not proficient in English are threatened.
In fairness, the order has reasonable goals. Its policy aims to “make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream.” Indeed, the country seems to be increasingly polarized, and an official language hopes to invoke unity throughout the nation. But is the almost dismissal of other languages truly going to unite the nation, or will it only deepen political divisions?
Tyler Dang ’28 (tylerdang@college.harvard.edu) took Latin in high school.
BY: TYLER DANG ’28
“This order designates English as the official language of the United States.” —Exec. Order No. 14224.
With President Donald Trump’s reelection, many anticipated sweeping changes to American life. From economic policies to foreign relations, the United States was poised for a dramatic transformation—whether for better or worse. In early March, the administration made a bold move, designating English as the official federal language.
Previously, the U.S. was among the short list of nations with no official language, alongside the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, and Eritrea. While the Trump administration justified its decision by claiming that English has always been the majority-spoken language, this move undermines the very essence of the American Dream.
The American Dream
Like any other nation, the United States has its own mythos and rich history. From its beginnings with the Pilgrims to its efforts in foreign lands, the U.S. has imagined itself as a land of opportunity and a protector of the marginalized. The “American Dream” clearly represents this ideal—the idea that anyone, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or even language, could prosper provided they work hard. This long-held belief contributed to the rapid immigration America experienced.
While this ideal may not be as universally agreed upon today, its impact has contributed to a sense that America is a country of immigrants. The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for 675,000 permanent visas to be granted, and with 14.3 % of the population being foreign-born, the United States continues to offer those from other nations the ideals of achieving a successful life.
Trump’s executive order No. 14224 erodes a key component of opportunity in the United States. While its impact is still to be determined, the order sends a message for any incoming immigrants: English is necessary for success, and without it, you won’t achieve the American Dream. Is understanding English essential for communication in everyday life? Yes—it is by far the most prevalent language in the U.S., with 78.3% of Americans speaking only English at home. However, establishing English as the official language imparts the impression that other languages are second-class and restricts those who have access to the American Dream.
While English has long been the de facto language in the U.S., the change to de jure runs counter to the idea of freedom and celebration of individuality. The Establishment Clause in the First Amendment prevents the government from establishing an official religion, protecting private practice. Just as the lack of a state religion ensures that anyone from a minority religion is not forced to conform to another faith, the absence of an official language encourages linguistic inclusivity. By making English the official language, the government risks sending a message that other languages and cultures are of lesser importance, further marginalizing those whose first language is not English.
Though this may seem like a minor change with little immediate legal effect, the order raises important questions: what comes next? Will the current administration stop at officially adopting English, or will other limitations follow?
Minority Recognition
Executive Order No. 14224 is not the first occurrence concerning making English the official language. In 1780, John Adams proposed making English the official language of the United States, but the Continental Congress rejected it as “undemocratic and a threat to individual liberty.” While language is a form of communication, it’s also a vital link to one’s heritage, community, and identity. As the United States becomes ever more diverse, it is crucial that every group feels valued and included, regardless of the language they speak.
Compare this to our neighbor Canada, where two official languages—English and French—are recognized. According to the country’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the designation of multiple official languages ensures equality of status and protects linguistic minorities. In the U.S., with over 350 languages spoken nationwide, the need for similar inclusivity is even greater. The new executive order does not prohibit or restrict the use of the languages, but by prioritizing English, it subtly diminishes the significance of minority languages. A few languages emphasized over the hundred others runs counter to the hope for an inclusive America.
Naturally, the order has some benefits for certain sectors. For example, previously, healthcare providers receiving federal funding must provide language access accommodations for patients with limited English proficiency. However, this requirement has been eliminated by Trump’s order. Now, healthcare providers will not have to pay for translators. Instead, patients are expected to know enough English to, say, communicate with their doctor. However, these expectations are unrealistic in certain parts of the country and can pose significant risks to informed consent and the delivery of effective patient care.
Homogeneous communities where people speak languages other than English have existed in the United States since the 1800s. Many of these communities are comprised of working residents who never needed to learn English. These individuals have built lives in environments where communication in their native tongue suffices. Yet, this executive order makes no provisions to ensure that people learn English, but instead reduces the protections for those who don’t speak it fluently.
The administration defends the order by claiming it “celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English.” Perhaps that is true for U.S. citizens, but for those attempting to gain citizenship, the change makes the process even more difficult. Previously, applicants with specific age and residency qualifications could take their citizenship test and interview in their native language. This order threatens that option for those already navigating a complicated immigration process.
It should also be noted that the Trump administration shut down the Spanish-language White House website page and its X account under the handle “LaCasaBlanca.” Trump previously removed the page in his first term. In a country where 13.8% of the population speaks solely Spanish in their household, these decisions give the impression that only one language, English, will be tolerated.
The Order’s Narrative
“The English language has been a cornerstone of American culture for over 250 years,” — then Sen. JD Vance stated in 2023.
In reality, this order will have little tangible effect. English was already the dominant language in America. Of those who spoke a language other than English at home, about 70% still spoke English “very well.” Establishing English as the official language is unlikely to encourage more immigrants to learn it, especially when 54% of immigrants are already proficient in English. Put simply, most jobs already require some understanding of the language. Not to mention that more than 30 states already had laws designating English as an official language.
Both sides of my family immigrated from Asia. My father was born on an American military base in Guam after his parents fled Vietnam, and my mother immigrated from China when she was nine years old. Despite Presidents Ford and Reagan never making such an order, my family still learned English. Perhaps they knew it because there were few Asian communities in Tennessee and Alabama where they could rely on their native language. Or perhaps it was because they felt that understanding English was necessary to achieving success.
With this order, the administration sends a clear message: English is the norm, and if you don’t learn it, you risk falling behind. The problem arises because the U.S. government, which was founded on unalienable rights such as liberty, is embracing that message. While residents are free to use any language they prefer, protections for those who are not proficient in English are threatened.
In fairness, the order has reasonable goals. Its policy aims to “make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream.” Indeed, the country seems to be increasingly polarized, and an official language hopes to invoke unity throughout the nation. But is the almost dismissal of other languages truly going to unite the nation, or will it only deepen political divisions?
Tyler Dang ’28 (tylerdang@college.harvard.edu) took Latin in high school.