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On March 1, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14224, making English the official language of the federal government. While symbolic on its face, the order also rescinds key Obama-era policies that required federal agencies to provide multilingual access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). In practice, this executive order cuts off critical language assistance that millions of immigrants rely on to access legal benefits, healthcare, education, and public safety resources.
As of July 2025, the order is already having a measurable impact. From USCIS forms to immigration court notices to Social Security documents, the absence of translated materials is creating new barriers to lawful status, compliance, and legal understanding.
This article explores the scope of EO 14224, who it affects, and what immigrants can do to preserve their rights in the face of this language access rollback.
What EO 14224 Does
EO 14224 declares English the official language of all federal government operations. Specifically, it directs federal agencies to:
- Conduct all public-facing communications in English
- Eliminate translations of forms, notices, and public guidance, unless required by statute
- Terminate contracts with interpreters and translators for non-English materials
- Encourage states to adopt similar English-only policies in federally funded programs
The order repeals Executive Order 13166 (issued in 2000), which required federal agencies to provide “meaningful access” to programs and activities for individuals with limited English proficiency under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The administration has framed this as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, but immigrant communities and civil rights organizations argue it is a deliberate act of exclusion that will result in the denial of benefits, increased deportations, and legal missteps.
Who Is Affected?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 25 million residents in the United States speak English “less than very well.” EO 14224 impacts all of them, but especially:
- Immigrants in removal proceedings who can no longer receive notices or instructions in their native language
- Asylum seekers and visa applicants who cannot complete complex forms without translated guidance
- Elderly or medically vulnerable non-English speakers navigating Medicare, Social Security, or public housing
- Parents in mixed-status households are trying to understand their children’s eligibility for federal programs
Even longstanding residents and green card holders are being denied critical services because they do not understand updated policies, deadlines, or requirements that were previously communicated in their primary language.
Legal Landscape and Civil Rights Concerns
While EO 14224 does not change federal civil rights statutes, it narrows their interpretation. The administration argues that unless a law specifically requires multilingual access, agencies are not obligated to provide it.
This contradicts decades of regulatory precedent that interpreted Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as requiring language accommodation where a program receives federal funding.
Civil rights groups have already filed lawsuits challenging the order. Key arguments include:
- Disparate impact on LEP populations, in violation of Title VI
- Procedural violations under the Administrative Procedure Act
- Constitutional claims involving equal protection and access to justice
The outcome of these cases could determine whether federal agencies must reinstate translated materials and interpreter services.
How Spar & Bernstein Is Responding
Our attorneys are helping clients navigate the fallout from EO 14224 and protect their immigration status despite the disappearance of language access protections. We provide:
- Multilingual legal consultations for clients affected by the order
- Advocacy for clients who missed deadlines or misunderstood notices due to language barriers
- Representation in immigration courts, where interpreters have been denied or removed
- Guidance for organizations and municipalities seeking to preserve local language access programs
- Legal action for individuals who lost eligibility or benefits as a result of English-only communications
We also continue to push for policy change and litigation outcomes that restore equal access for all.
What Immigrants and Advocates Should Do
If you or someone you know has limited English proficiency, take the following steps:
- Do not ignore any federal mail or notices, even if you cannot read them—bring them to a legal advisor for review
- Keep records of any miscommunications, missed deadlines, or denied services that may be linked to language issues
- Request interpreter services in writing, even if they are no longer offered by default
- Submit FOIA requests to verify what was communicated in English versus your preferred language
You still have the right to understand legal proceedings and to access government services that affect your family, your status, and your future.
EO 14224 strips away one of the most basic civil rights protections for immigrant communities: the ability to understand and navigate the legal system in a language they can comprehend. By declaring English the official language and eliminating translation services, the administration is not just cutting costs—it is closing doors.
At Spar & Bernstein, we believe that language should never be a barrier to justice. If you’ve been affected by this policy, our firm is ready to help you assert your rights, protect your status, and stay informed—no matter what language you speak.