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An update from OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates
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News — March 4, 2025
OCA Condemns Executive Order Rescinding Language Access Protections
President Trump’s executive order declaring English the official U.S. language and rescinding language access protections is a harmful policy that marginalizes immigrant communities, restricts access to essential services, and undermines civil rights.
Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates strongly condemns President Trump’s executive order designating English as the official language of the United States and rescinding Executive Order 13166, which ensured language access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). This harmful and exclusionary policy threatens millions of Americans by erecting barriers to essential services.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities are among the most affected by language access policies, with nearly one-third of Asian American adults facing challenges in English proficiency. Rescinding federal protections will disproportionately harm these communities, limiting their ability to engage in civic life, access critical healthcare services, and navigate the legal system.

“The U.S. is forged through diverse communities, and this executive order undermines that very principle,” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Executive Director Thu Nguyen. “It is a blatant attack on immigrant communities and an attempt to marginalize those who rely on language assistance to fully participate in society. Language access is not just a matter of convenience—it is a matter of civil rights and dignity. OCA remains committed to fighting for language access protections and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their English proficiency, can access the resources they need to thrive.”

OCA urges federal agencies, local governments, and community organizations to continue upholding language access initiatives and providing necessary services to individuals with LEP. We call on Congress to take action to protect language access rights and uphold the dignity of all communities.
Please direct all inquiries to OCA Senior Communications Associate Socheata Sun at [email protected]. View this press release on our website. ([link removed])

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OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
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