The Department of Education has quietly shelved guidance that has governed education services for children with little or no English proficiency for over a decade.

The policy change was driven by President Trump’s Executive Order on March 1, designating English as the official language of the United States.

In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream.  Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society.  This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come.

To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language.  Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.

Accordingly, this order designates English as the official language of the United States.

Attorney General Pam Bondi followed this with guidance on how the administration will interpret that executive order.

“As President Trump has made clear, English is the official language of the United States,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will lead the effort to codify the President’s Executive Order and eliminate wasteful virtue-signaling policies across government agencies to promote assimilation over division.”

“President Trump’s Executive Order marks a pivotal step toward unifying our nation through a common language and enhancing efficiency in federal operations,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Department of Justice ensures that while we respect linguistic diversity, our federal resources will prioritize English proficiency to empower new Americans and strengthen civic unity.”

This is an action that is centuries overdue. There is no reason why a nation that requires English proficiency for citizenship should print ballots in dozens of foreign languages. If you can’t read English, maybe you shouldn’t be voting.