FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JOINT ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON EXECUTIVE ORDER 14224

AAITE joins ALC, ATA, CCHI, NAJIT, and RID—five associations for interpreters and translators—in opposing Executive Order 14224, which designates English as the official language of the United States and revokes Executive Order 13166, in effect since August 2000.

We strongly oppose both the designation of English as the official language and the weakening of existing language access protections. While language access is under threat, the law of the land still stands, and the fight is not over. Language access ensures that limited English proficient (LEP) children and families can fully integrate into the fabric of our society, fostering equal opportunity, social inclusion, and meaningful participation in education, healthcare, and civic life to the benefit of us all. As interpreters, translators, and members of our respective communities, we must:

•    Educate LEP individuals about their rights under Title VI and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
•    Support schools and school staff in maintaining language access services despite the chilling effect of this executive order.
•    Advocate for policies that expand language access and speak out against efforts to weaken it.
•    Connect with our state representatives to make our voice heard.

Specifically for language access in education, schools in the U.S. are obligated to inform parents that they have the right to receive information in their preferred language and to eliminate language barriers that prevent equal participation in educational programs under:

• ⁠ Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• ⁠⁠⁠ Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• ⁠⁠⁠ Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA) of 1974
• ⁠⁠⁠ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

 The full text of the Joint Statement (a live document with current endorsing organizations) is available here:

Joint Statement on the Trump Administration’s Executive Order 14224.