CAPAC Members Demand Answers from Federal Agencies that Translation Services will Continue for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair Emerita Judy Chu (CA-28), and CAPAC Member Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) yesterday led 18 of their colleagues in demanding answers from 15 federal agencies regarding potential disruptions to services and programs for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) following the Trump administration’s Executive Order designating English as the official language of the United States. 

On March 1, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14224 “Designating English as the Official Language of the United States,” which rescinded a Clinton administration EO that improved access to federal services for people with limited English proficiency. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and Section 616 of the Stafford Act continue to mandate language access across a variety of sectors.   

The Members of Congress are inquiring how federal agencies plan to continue providing translation services for individuals with LEP as required under federal law. The 15 agencies that received a letter include the United States Departments of Agriculture; Commerce; Education; Energy; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; Justice; Labor; Transportation; Treasury; Veterans Affairs; as well as the Small Business Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. 

This action comes after reporting that the Department of Government Efficiency canceled at least ten contracts that provided federal agencies with language or translation services and builds upon a separate letter led by Chair Meng and Chair Emerita Chu demanding answers from President Trump and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the impacts of EO 14224. 

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 25 million Americans—eight percent of the U.S. population—have limited English proficiency. Language assistance services for individuals with LEP have been essential in protecting every Americans’ right to access federal services.    

The letters were signed by 21 Members of Congress: CAPAC Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair Emerita Judy Chu (CA-28), and Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Al Green (TX-09), Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rep. David Min (CA-47), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35), Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45), and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).  

Full text of the letters is below. A PDF copy of the letters is available here. 

As Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), we write to inquire how your agency plans to uphold its obligations under federal law, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, and Section 616 of the Stafford Act, and existing agency regulations, to provide meaningful access to services and programs for individuals with limited English proficiency. 

President Trump’s signed Executive Order (EO) 14224 “Designating English as the Official Language of the United States” rescinds Executive Order 13166, Improving Access for Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Importantly, EO 14224 gives agencies “flexibility to decide how and when to offer services in languages other than English to best serve the American people” and “specifically allows agencies to keep current policies and provide documents and services in other languages.”¹  President Trump’s executive order does not require federal agencies to stop production of products or services in languages other than English. 

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 25 million Americans—eight percent of the U.S. population—have LEP.² According to the Economic Policy Institute, approximately 32 percent of Asian Americans,12 percent of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and 29 percent of the Latino community have LEP.³ Language assistance services for individuals with LEP have been essential in protecting every Americans’ right to access federal services. 

In order to best serve our constituents and the American people, we request answers to the following questions within 60 days of receipt of this letter:  

1. What changes, if any, will your agency be taking to limit, decrease, or remove current policies and programs intended to assist individuals with LEP?  
2. Will your agency continue to follow the most updated Language Access Plan published by your agency? 
3. What communication are you providing to recipients of federal funds administered through your agency, as to their responsibility to provide meaningful language access under previously promulgated agency guidance? 
4. Have recent staffing reductions included individuals whose primary responsibility was ensuring the agency and federal funding recipients comply with civil rights requirements or are responsible for providing information in other languages? If so, how many staff with these responsibilities have been terminated or reassigned to other duties? 
5. Will your agency continue to receive, review, and address civil rights complaints regarding access to information in other languages in a timely manner?    

Thank you for your timely response to ensure the American people are best served by your agency.   

Sincerely,   

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Founded in 1994, the bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is composed of 81 members of Congress who advocate on behalf of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The Caucus is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected CAPAC Chair in 2024.