Skip to content
LPBN-Icon-v1
ImmigrationProf Blog
A Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network

English as Official Language Amendment to Senate Immigration Bill

By immigrationprof

The Senate yesterday approved the Imhoff Amendment 64-33 to amend title 4, United States Code, “to declare English as the national language of the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.” AAJC issued this statement in response:

Asian American Justice Center Condemns Passage of Inhofe Amendment

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a national civil rights organization, condemns the Senate for passing the Inhofe Amendment to the Senate immigration bill on Wednesday. The Inhofe Amendment could be used by English-only proponents to restrict the government’s ability to transmit documents and communicate in languages other than English.

“We are deeply disappointed that the Senate passed such a divisive and harmful provision,” said Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director at AAJC. “Anti-immigrant groups will seek to use this provision to undermine the government’s ability to communicate critical information and provide necessary services. It makes no sense to try to block communication that would protect all Americans against national threats to security or disasters, or ensure access to quality healthcare, education and the legal system. Allowing this amendment into our immigration bill is a mistake which could deeply harm the government’s ability to protect its citizens,” she added.

“It is our hope that the House will restore unity and reason to this debate by acknowledging that English is our common language without validating any attempts to undermine the rights of individuals to meaningfully access government programs and services,” said Tuyet G. Duong, Staff Attorney at AAJC. “The provision does nothing to help immigrants learn English. It just seeks to punish those who are still trying to learn. When it comes to helping immigrants learn English, we need more resources for adult education programs, not a law which attacks their languages and their cultures,” she added.

Call your Senators today and thank them for voting against the Inhofe Amendment. If your Senator voted for the Inhofe Amendment, tell him or her how harmful this amendment is to our communities! To see how your Senator voted, click here.

bh