Washington [US], March 3: US President Donald Trump has designated English as the official language of the United States by executive order.
The decree, issued late on Saturday, allows authorities to communicate exclusively in English. The order grants federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds the autonomy to decide whether they will continue offering services and documents in languages other than English.
The move rescinds an order by former president Bill Clinton stipulating that official documents should be made available in other languages to help residents with poor English.
English is by far the most widely spoken language in the US and is used for official communication. However, unlike in some of the 50 states, there has been no official language at the federal level. Many authorities also publish their documents in Spanish, the second most widely spoken language in the country.
"Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society," the executive order said.
The text argued that learning English helps immigrants to gain a foothold in the labour market, but also to "engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society."
More than 30 states have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to US English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States.
However, US organizations have warned that the decision will be used to exclude children from migrant backgrounds in schools. Shortly after Trump returned to office in January, the Spanish-language White House website was taken down.
Source: Qatar Tribune
