Trump’s English-Only Policy is a Calculated Step to Divide Fellow Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is set to sign an Executive Order declaring English the official language of the United States—a move that disregards the nation’s history as a country of immigrants and marginalizes millions of Americans.
“This action is not just about language—it is part of an unprecedented and dangerous campaign that seeks to single out, surveil, and target communities based on their background and beliefs, regardless of whether they are American citizens or not.”
The United States is home to more than 66 million people who speak a language other than English at home and boasts a rich tapestry of over 350 languages spoken across the country. Declaring English the official language is not about unity—it’s about division. This is yet another attempt to erode the very ideals that have made America a beacon of hope and opportunity.
This policy does not exist in isolation. It comes on the heels of a series of alarming measures by the Trump administration, including the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the introduction of a registry for undocumented immigrants, and the threat of incarcerating U.S. citizens at Guantanamo Bay, among others. Taken together, these actions reveal a calculated strategy to marginalize and criminalize nonwhite Americans. These policies directly contradict the values of our multicultural nation. In fact, they collectively target 42% of all Americans.
The real danger here is that this administration is setting the stage for everyday Americans to police one another with suspicion and hostility simply because of a person’s appearance, skin color, or language. We must reject these attempts to divide us and stand together against policies that threaten our shared values of inclusivity, diversity, and freedom.
Voto Latino calls on all Americans to stand against policies that undermine the fundamental principles of this country. We urge communities to stay engaged, organize, and make their voices heard. This fight is about more than language—it’s about the soul of our democracy. We encourage our congressional leaders to take a firm stand and denounce these blatant attempts to sow division among their constituents.
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Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered over 1.4 million voters, mobilized tens of thousands of voters in the 2022 midterms, helping to defeat the so-called “red wave” and keep the Senate majority-Democrat. In 2024, Voto Latino filed several lawsuits to defend voting rights in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina ahead of the elections.