Justice Department Seeks Input on English-as-Official-Language Plan
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Justice is rolling out a plan to make English the official language of the U.S., following a presidential order. This affects all federal agencies, which will now focus on using English officially. The public can share their thoughts by January 11, 2027, and no big costs are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal agencies will operate in English
The Department of Justice says English is now the official U.S. language and directs agencies to prioritize using English alone for official correspondence, regulations, public notices, forms, websites, outreach, internal communications, and "super intelligence tools." This guidance was published in a memorandum revised on October 22, 2026 and builds on earlier guidance issued September 1, 2026.
Multilingual help kept for critical functions
The memorandum says agencies must still provide multilingual assistance when it is legally required (for example by the Constitution, federal statutes, binding court orders or regulations, or international obligations) or when it is necessary to accomplish the agency's mission. The memo lists mission-critical contexts where assistance may be necessary, including national security, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, emergency preparedness and disaster response, public health communications, healthcare services, court proceedings, and communications with crime victims.
Prior language-access rules rescinded
The memorandum confirms that Executive Order 13166 (which previously directed agencies to enhance access for persons with limited English proficiency) was rescinded by E.O. 14224; agencies reported that many have discontinued or are in the process of discontinuing language-assistance measures and Language Access Plans, and the Department cites examples such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development removing non-English languages from departmental business on August 17.
English versions are the authoritative text
When agencies do provide multilingual assistance, the memorandum states the English language version of any agency communication "shall constitute the official and authoritative version" unless another law requires otherwise. Agencies must provide translations only to the extent legally required or necessary to accomplish their mission.
Agencies encouraged to use machine translation tech
The memorandum encourages agencies to consider cost-effective technological tools, including "superintelligence and machine translation," and notes the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Homeland Security are evaluating such programs to communicate with people who have limited English proficiency.
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