Congress Moves To Counter Trump English Only Order

On January 27, 2026, four members of Congress introduced a bill aimed at safeguarding language access at federal agencies for millions of Americans with limited English proficiency. This move comes as a direct response to a series of executive actions by former President Trump, who, in March 2025, signed an order declaring English as the official language of the United States and rolled back federal guidance promoting multilingual services. The administration’s subsequent July guidance further discouraged agencies from offering translation services, instructing them to "prioritize English."

These policies have reignited a longstanding debate over language, identity, and access in America—a country with a deep and complex history of linguistic diversity. But if the Trump administration’s push for English-only government feels like a throwback, polling data released just this week suggest the move is out of step with the values of most American families, especially when it comes to education.

According to a November 2025 study published by The Century Foundation and highlighted by The 74, there is overwhelming support for bilingualism among families in California, one of the nation’s most linguistically diverse states. The research, which included focus groups with 64 Latino families and a survey of 1,000 families from varied backgrounds, found that nearly 95% of non-English-speaking households and 55% of English-speaking households believe it is important for their children to grow up speaking multiple languages.

“Fully 94% of families that speak a non-English language at home said that it was ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important that their child grow up speaking multiple languages,” the study’s authors reported. “Perhaps more surprisingly, 55% of monolingual English-speaking families agreed.”

But the enthusiasm doesn’t stop at values or ideals. When asked about enrolling their children in bilingual or dual language K–12 programs, nearly two-thirds of non-English-speaking families "strongly" agreed it was helpful for their children to learn two languages at school, with another 30% "somewhat" agreeing. In fact, when respondents were asked to rank their interest in bilingual education on a scale from one to ten, the average rating was a robust 7.9. More than three-quarters of all respondents rated their interest at seven or higher, and among Latino families, 40% gave the highest possible rating—10 out of 10.

This groundswell of support for bilingualism stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s efforts to promote English-only policies. As The 74 points out, the administration’s campaign against multilingualism in government, society, and schools is not a new phenomenon. It’s a revival of a decades-old political project, one that has surfaced periodically in American history. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, conservative groups like ProEnglish spearheaded efforts to ban bilingual education and establish English as the sole official language in states such as California, Massachusetts, and Arizona. These efforts were often explicitly linked to anti-immigrant and anti-multicultural sentiments.

Former Republican Senator Bob Dole’s 1995 presidential campaign crystallized this view, declaring, “With all the divisive forces tearing at our country, we need the glue of language to help hold us together. If we want to ensure that all our children have the same opportunities in life, alternative language education should stop and English should be acknowledged once and for all as the official language of the United States.”

Yet, as the Century Foundation’s study demonstrates, public sentiment appears to have shifted dramatically in recent years. Many of the English-only policies of the past have been rolled back through legislation or voter referenda. Today, the vast majority of families—regardless of the language spoken at home—see bilingualism as a valuable asset for their children’s future.

The Trump administration’s policies, however, have not only targeted language access in federal agencies but have also had ripple effects on schools and communities. Critics argue that discouraging translation services and prioritizing English in government programs undermines popular education initiatives like dual language immersion schools. These programs rely heavily on the participation of linguistically diverse students, particularly English learners, to thrive. The administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement has also contributed to rising absenteeism rates among children of immigrants and English learners, further eroding the multilingual fabric of American schools.

"The administration’s aggressive detention and deportation campaign is already reducing the daily linguistic diversity of U.S. schools by raising absenteeism rates for children of immigrants and English learners," The 74 reported. "Should it continue, reduced immigration will shrink the country’s multilingual student population."

Indeed, linguistically diverse English learners have been crucial to the success of dual language programs and have helped stabilize enrollment in school districts across the country. As immigration slows and the population of English learners declines, these programs—and the educational opportunities they provide—face new challenges.

Supporters of the newly introduced language access bill in Congress argue that ensuring multilingual services in federal agencies is not just a matter of fairness, but also of practicality. With millions of Americans relying on government programs for healthcare, education, and social services, clear communication is essential. For many, English-only policies risk shutting out some of the nation’s most vulnerable residents from vital information and assistance.

Opponents of the bill, echoing the arguments of past English-only campaigns, contend that a common language is necessary for national unity and integration. They argue that prioritizing English in government and education helps immigrants assimilate and succeed. But as the latest polling shows, this view may be increasingly out of step with the lived experiences and aspirations of American families.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the question of language in America is far from settled. The country’s history of linguistic diversity is both a source of pride and a point of contention, shaping debates over identity, access, and opportunity. With new legislation on the table and public opinion shifting, the coming months will test whether the nation’s policies can catch up with its people’s values.

In a nation shaped by waves of immigration and a tapestry of languages, the battle over English-only policies and bilingual education is more than a political skirmish—it’s a reflection of what Americans want for their children, their communities, and the country’s future.