“Consistent with the Executive Order, the Department of Justice will lead a coordinated effort across federal agencies to minimize non-essential multilingual services, redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation, and ensure legal compliance with the Executive Order through targeted measures where necessary,” a press release stated.
According to the press release, the benefits of this new guidance include streamlining federal processes, reducing administrative burdens, and promoting assimilation through a shared language.
The guidance, a “Memorandum from the Attorney General to All Federal Agencies,” clarifies the legal framework supporting EO 14224.
The memo emphasizes that language proficiency is not interchangeable with national origin or race, and thus not a protected characteristic under the Equal Protection Clause or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (unless used as a deliberate proxy for discrimination).
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against individuals from federally funded programs or activities on the basis of race, color, or national origin. “Many interpreted this directive [EO 13166] as mandating extensive translation services beyond legal requirements, often prioritizing multilingualism over English proficiency among new Americans,” the memorandum explained. The DOJ reportedly rescinded its 2002 LEP Guidance on March 21, 2025.
While some observers have wondered aloud whether EO 14224 will impact users of sign language, an April 15, 2025 notice in the Federal Register stated that “[r]ecipients of federal financial assistance also have a continuing obligation under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that their communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with others,” which may require providing sign language interpreters.
The notice added that “the denial of language assistance services can be evidence of discrimination on the basis of national origin or disability under certain circumstances.”
Next Steps
The DOJ has outlined in its memorandum expected next steps for the remainder of 2025, from collecting “input and recommendations” from other federal agencies on English-only formats for programs and policies to requesting comment from agencies with internal language access plans.
Within 180 days, the DOJ plans to issue new guidance on guidelines to “prioritize English while explaining precisely when and how multilingual assistance remains necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services.” The new guidance will be open to public comment for 30 days.
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The DOJ has already recommended that other agencies follow a number of suggestions, “all while complying with applicable law and the Constitution.”
In addition to considering English-only programming, these include adding disclaimers on multilingual materials stating that English is the official language and “authoritative version of all federal information,” redirecting savings from reducing translation costs to programs to improve English proficiency, and using technology — namely AI and machine translation — to cut costs.
Regarding AI translation, the DOJ specifically “encourages other agencies to follow its approach of considering responsible use of artificial intelligence and machine translation to communicate with individuals who are limited English proficient.”
The LEP.gov website, launched in 2003 during George W. Bush’s administration, currently maintains information on language access resources in compliance with federal law.
Per the new guidance, the DOJ plans to temporarily suspend and review the website and other public-facing language access materials in order to update content in accordance with EO 14224, Title VI, and the Constitution.
