On March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order making English the official language of the United States. This contentious move, aligning with the administration's recent actions to terminate the Spanish-language version of the White House website, resonates with the former president’s long-held views on language and identity.
Following Trump's second presidential inauguration, his administration shuttered both the Spanish-language section of the White House website and its corresponding account on X (formerly Twitter). Visitors to the Spanish section were met with a "page not found" message, redirecting them to the English interface, signifying the administration's disregard for the Spanish-speaking population of the U.S.
Historically, the U.S. has not designated any language as official; Spanish was spoken on the continent long before English settlers arrived. Spain's first permanent settlement occurred in 1565, when St. Augustine was established, almost 50 years before Jamestown was founded. Today, roughly 43 million Americans speak Spanish as their primary language, representing about 14% of the population. When considering those who speak it as a secondary language, the U.S. becomes the second-largest Spanish-speaking nation globally, trailing only Mexico.
The economic contributions of Spanish speakers are significant, with estimates indicating they contribute approximately $2.3 trillion to the national economy—more than the GDP of any other Spanish-speaking nation. This reality emphasizes the practical need for inclusive communication strategies.
The Bush administration first introduced Spanish on the White House webpage back in 2001, aiming to accommodate Hispanic visitors. This initiative was maintained by the Obama administration but reversed under Trump's first term and reinstated by the Biden administration. Nonetheless, with the latest removal of the Spanish-language resources, the administration seems to ignore demographic trends defining contemporary America.
Trump’s narrative surrounding English dominance is not new. He claimed during his initial campaign, “This is a country where we speak English, not Spanish.” Such assertions overlook the contributions and historical presence of Spanish and other languages, which have enriched American culture.
The executive order makes several claims aiming to validate the need for one official language. Specifically, it alleges a shared language fosters unity, streamlines communication, and empowers new citizens. While it's undeniable immigrants strive for English proficiency—often as the key to achieving the American Dream—the necessity of enshrining this notion via executive order is contentious.
The author of this piece, reflecting on their own experiences as the child of Peruvian immigrants, recalls mixing English and Spanish from the age of three. For many immigrants, the desire to learn English is inherently motivated by the need to adapt to their surroundings rather than needing government mandates to succeed. The author questions the symbolism behind such pronouncements, noting they can also evoke xenophobia and exclusivity.
With nearly 80% of Americans aged five and older speaking only English at home, Trump's declaration might seem superfluous. Yet, the motivations behind enforcing this order often hint at broader anti-immigrant sentiment rather than genuine initiatives for unity. For example, JD Vance, during his tenure as Senator, sponsored the English Language Unity Act, which parallels Trump's recent actions and highlights the perceived necessity of defending English against fragmentation.
Despite Trump's claims of protecting American culture, critics argue his actions work to erode the rich diversity characterizing society. For immigrant populations, there’s often no contradiction between speaking Spanish at home and learning English outside—it’s part of the fabric of multicultural life.
Undermining the value of multilingualism not only challenges cultural heritage but may also alienate existing citizens who speak multiple languages. Advocates argue against restricting language use due to the historical precedent set by the founding of the nation, which was marked by constitutional translations meant to inform diverse immigrant cohorts.
Critics from various advocacy groups have condemned the executive order, framing it as an attack on diversity. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, for one, contends, “Trump’s plan to make English official is a direct attack on our diversity and history.”
Beyond symbolism, the practicalities of enforcing such policies often fall short. While the order allows federal agencies not to provide translated materials for non-English speakers, it doesn’t explicitly ban them from doing so. Critics assert this dissonance embodies the administration's intent to create divisions.
Trump’s duality on language is evident, as he employed Spanish-language advertisements during the previous campaign to curry favor with Latino voters, garnering 42% of their support—markedly higher than past Republican candidates.
Although the executive order on English aims to reflect unity, it fails to embrace the composite nature of American culture, which has thrived on linguistic and cultural diversity over its history. Advocates for multilingualism argue for the benefits of language acquisition and cultural exchange, recognizing the inherent value of diverse languages as part of the American identity.
The stakes are more than just linguistic; they traverse the broader realms of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage. The narrative proclaimed through this executive order challenges the enrichment of society through multiple languages and diminishes the experiences of countless individuals who navigate life across linguistic lines. While it may hold symbolic weight, the effect on policy and the populace remains to be seen.