Chicago, IL
The AFL-CIO is deeply disturbed with the passage of legislation H.R. 123 by the U.S. House of Representatives declaring English the official language of the federal government.
This bill if passed by the US Senate and enacted into law would require that all official government business be conducted in English and would repeal a federal law mandating that states with large concentrations of non-English speaking voters provide bilingual voting ballots.
The AFL-CIO strongly supported the minority language amendments to the Voting Rights Act, in 1975 and again in 1992. These amendments help to ensure language minority citizens equal access to the electoral process by requiring that registration and voting materials be provided in the language of the minority group, as well as in English, in appropriate jurisdictions.
H.R. 123 would disenfranchise, divide and disconnect millions of Americans from their government. At the same time it would weaken the federal government_s ability to deal effectively with the challenges of living in a global age.
As a practical matter, government, public schools, the courts and other institutions must adjust to the realities of the people they serve. Newly arrived immigrants, and even some who have lived in this country for years, might fail to acquire fluency in English but still have a contribution to make to American society.
The national interest can best be served when all members of our society have equal opportunity plus a mastery of a second or multiple languages and can exercise their rights and responsibilities in the electoral, legal system, social services and health care.
The AFL-CIO urges expanding public funding for adult education programs and English as a second language because isolating immigrants and American born citizens who are not fluent in English leads to exploitation and discrimination.
New Americans are going to have to learn English if they are to compete. English is still a powerful language around the world. In the era of modern communications, Americans who think the English language needs the law to bolster its position betray a strange lack of confidence in its influence and appeal. English is already our _common_ language.