Yunju Nam and Regine Ndanga | May 4, 2025

On March 1, English became the official language of the United States. According to President Trump’s executive order, a nationally designated language would “unify American society.” But in reality, the order undermines that very goal by rescinding a previous directive from President Bill Clinton that required government agencies to provide language services.

This raises a pressing question: Can a single official language truly unite us if it limits our ability to communicate with millions of Americans who have limited English proficiency?

The answer is likely no – especially given how critical language access is to immigrant and refugee communities, and to the well-being of our society as a whole. Interpretation and translation services are often lifelines. During the deadly 2022 blizzard in Buffalo, two residents – Abdul Sharifu from Congo and Stanislawa Jozwiak from Poland – tragically lost their lives. Neither was fluent in English, and they could not understand the emergency warnings and public announcements that might have saved them.

Language barriers limit access not only to emergency information but also to essential services like health care, public benefits, and transportation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, 64% of respondents in one survey of immigrant small-business owners reported they did not have access to information in a language they could understand. Many received translated materials only after funding for relief programs had already run out.

Everyday services are also affected. In a local survey of immigrants and refugees in Buffalo, 85% reported facing at least one barrier when trying to obtain services at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

And when professional interpretation isn’t available, families often rely on children to act as translators or interpreters, putting young people in the difficult position of navigating government forms or immigration appointments. Research shows that these responsibilities can interfere with children’s education and increase their risk of depression and social anxiety. Bilingual adults, too, often sacrifice work and personal time to assist others in their communities. Some even lose their jobs for missing work to help family or neighbors communicate with government officials or service providers.

Meanwhile, community and ethnic organizations—often underfunded – try to fill the gaps left by limited public language services, straining their already limited capacity.

In Buffalo, a city with a rapidly growing immigrant and refugee population, expanding language access is more than just a moral imperative – it’s an economic one. Newcomers have helped reverse the city’s decades-long population decline. A larger proportion of them are of working age (71%) compared to native-born residents (64%). They’re filling vital jobs in health care, education, manufacturing and agriculture.

They’re also starting businesses at higher rates than U.S.-born residents. According to New American Economy, immigrants and refugees in the Buffalo metro area pay $643 million in taxes and spend $1.5 billion annually. They bring not only economic vitality but also rich linguistic and cultural traditions that strengthen our communities.

Buffalo’s future depends on welcoming newcomers – and the first step is ensuring language access.

Fortunately, there is hope. True to its nickname, “The City of Good Neighbors” has begun to lead at the local and state levels. After years of advocacy, Erie County recently passed its own language access law. An expanded state bill is also under consideration in Albany. The New York State Senate passed the Language Access Expansion Act. Now, it is time for the Assembly to pass the bill. These are promising steps – but more is needed.

If we want to build a more unified, equitable and prosperous society, we must reject the false promise of unity through exclusion. Language access isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. As good neighbors, we should ensure that everyone, regardless of the language they speak, has equal access to information, services and opportunity.