Trump's assertion concerning the elimination of bilingual education programs
In a significant policy shift, President Trump's Executive Order 14224, issued on March 1, 2025, designates English as the official language of the United States [1][2]. The order revokes President Bill Clinton's Executive Order 13166, which mandated federal agencies to provide services to people with limited English proficiency (LEP) [2].
The revocation of EO 13166 could potentially affect equal education access for emergent bilingual students. Federal requirements that previously promoted language access accommodations in education funded by federal resources are now eliminated [2]. Agencies are encouraged to limit multilingual services, with resources being redirected towards English-language education programs [2][4].
Critics argue that this policy reduces civil rights protections for LEP individuals and emergent bilingual learners, while supporters claim it promotes national unity and efficient government operations through a common language [1][5].
The science teacher in Washington, D.C., for instance, was communicating with a student who had recently arrived from Paris. Approaching a student in French and communicating in their native language can foster a sense of belonging and community [6]. However, schools may terminate their interpretation and translation services due to the Trump administration's actions [7].
The right to equal education access, regardless of native language or any factor of identity, has been a core tenet of American values since the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. The revocation of Clinton's order removes the requirement for federally funded schools to support emergent bilingual students in accessing school resources [8].
Since signing the order, the Trump administration has begun withholding federal funds supporting emergent bilingual students [9]. Pooja Reddy Nakamura, a senior researcher for the American Institute of Research, stated that forcing emergent bilingual students into English before they learn their own language can lead to literacy failure in both languages [10].
The preservation and valuation of native languages is academically, economically, and socially beneficial. Supporting multilingualism brings communities together and affirms egalitarian ideals [3]. Efforts should be made to protect multilingualism and the rights of emergent bilingual students, including the right to translation services and language-learning support [4].
In 2023, a bill was introduced to designate a federal official language and require English proficiency for naturalization [11]. President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14224 stands in direct contradiction to these values.
Multilingualism is beneficial to students, communities, and the country as a whole [3]. As the debate on language policy continues, it is crucial to consider the potential impact on emergent bilingual students and the broader implications for American values of equality and inclusivity.
References: 1. New York Times 2. White House Fact Sheet 3. Multilingualism Matters 4. American Federation of Teachers 5. CNN Opinion 6. Washington Post 7. Education Week 8. NPR 9. Associated Press 10. Education Week Research Center 11. Congress.gov
- The revocation of Clinton's Executive Order could potentially limit the access of emergent bilingual students to education resources, as schools may terminate interpretation and translation services due to the new policy.
- The debate on language policy, particularly the impact on emergent bilingual students, is crucial considering the potential implications for American values of equality and inclusivity.
- The preservation and valuation of native languages is important not only for academic and economic reasons, but also for fostering a sense of community and affirming egalitarian ideals.
