United States | Multilingual services across government agencies still permissible under EO guidance

Today, President Trump’s executive order (EO) designating English the official U.S. language was officially published in the Federal Register, stating agencies can still provide existing multilingual services.

Key Points:

• EO 14224, signed on March 1, establishes English as the official language of the United States.
• The EO encourages new citizens to learn English to participate fully in society.
• Although it revokes any policy guidance issued under EO 13166 from 2000 — “Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency” — it does not require government agencies to discontinue multilingual services.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services currently offers an online Multilingual Resource Center that provides information on a variety of immigrant- and nonimmigrant-related topics, including work authorization such as employee verification, specific form instructions, green cards, options for nonimmigrant STEM professionals to work in the U.S. and more.

Additional Information: Regarding agency discretion on services provided, Section 3(b) of the EO states “nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American people. Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English.”

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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