The Department of Housing and Urban Development is set to enforce an English-only policy for all agency operations, a move that aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order establishing English as the official language of the United States. This directive, issued in March, marked a significant shift in federal policy, reversing a 2000 executive order from former President Bill Clinton that required federal agencies to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. HUD Secretary Scott Turner underscored the importance of the decision, emphasizing that the move reflects the United States’ commitment to a unified and cohesive society. “We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission,” Turner wrote on X, highlighting the agency’s focus on expanding affordable housing and aiding the most vulnerable citizens.
According to a memo from HUD Deputy Secretary Andrew Hughes, the department will transition to an English-only environment across all its services, with a particular focus on housing assistance and community revitalization. Hughes stated that while the shift to English is a priority, HUD will continue to ensure equal access to its programs for individuals with disabilities through communication services mandated by the Americans with Disability Act and the Violence Against Women Act. This means that, despite the overall policy change, HUD will still offer interpretation services for non-English speakers who require them under these legal frameworks. The memo also noted that HUD previously provided services in around 222 languages, reflecting its prior commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusivity.
Notably, this decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to streamline government operations and reduce reliance on multilingual services, which it argues are unnecessary for a population that primarily speaks English. The executive order signed by Trump emphasized that a shared language strengthens the nation’s civic identity, stating, “A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.”