Bad Law in Any Language

The House on Thursday passed a divisive and unnecessary bill that would declare English the official language of the United States and would invite civil suits from those who believed they had been injured by violation of its provisions. Its targets are racial and ethnic minorities, and it could create problems that do not now exist. This bill makes no sense.

Nobody disputes the status of English as the common language of the United States, but if this measure is enacted those people who speak a language other than English could face serious obstacles in their daily lives.

The bill would mandate that all U.S. government business be conducted in English with very few exceptions. Most federal documents would be printed in English only. The use of other languages would be allowed only to protect public health and safety, ensure the rights of crime victims and criminal defendants, and maintain national security.

If it becomes law, the bill will prevent citizens with a limited command of English from communicating effectively with their government. It would infringe on the public’s right to receive constitutionally protected information, a right recently upheld by the federal bench in an Arizona case. The bill is sponsored by a Californian, Randy (Duke) Cunningham (R-San Diego), whose own state could be particularly hurt by its passage. California has by far the country’s largest immigrant population.

Rather than ban the use of languages other than English in official federal government business, Congress should concentrate on promoting greater fluency in English by funding more English language instruction for adults and children. According to estimates, only 13% of the demand for courses in English as a second language is being met.

This bill is immigrant bashing. In any language, it would be bad law.