President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, making English the official language of the United States, has sparked significant debate. The executive order reverses a Clinton-era policy. This policy had mandated federal assistance in multiple languages for people with limited English proficiency. The change has highlighted the growing divide among Americans on the importance of making English the official language.
While Pew Research Center has not directly asked Americans about this specific executive order, they conducted a survey in August 2024. This survey provides valuable insight into public opinion on the matter of language policy.
GROWING SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
According to the Pew Research Center’s survey, 51% of U.S. adults say that it is extremely or very important for the U.S. to establish English as the official language. An additional 21% say it is somewhat important. This sentiment is more pronounced among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, with 73% supporting the move. In contrast, only 32% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents express the same view. Nearly half of Democrats (43%) say that it is not at all important for English to be the official language of the U.S. Some believe it is not too important.
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVISIONS IN SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH
The survey also uncovers notable differences in opinion based on race and ethnicity. More White adults (57%) say English should be the official language of the U.S. This is higher compared to Asian (47%), Black (45%), and Hispanic (36%) adults. Among Hispanic adults, 38% believe it is not important to make English the national language, showcasing the complexity of language preferences.
AGE AND PLACE OF BIRTH INFLUENCE PERSPECTIVES
Age also plays a role in the support for making English the official language. Older adults are more likely to support this idea than younger adults. This trend holds across racial and ethnic groups when discussing language policies.
Additionally, U.S.-born adults are generally more supportive of the initiative than immigrants. About half of those born in the U.S. (52%) believe English should be the official language, while 46% of immigrants share the same opinion. Among U.S.-born adults, second-generation individuals (those born in the U.S. to immigrant parents) are less likely (36%) to say English should be the official language compared to third-generation or higher (54%).
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE U.S.
English remains the dominant language in the United States. According to the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), about 78% of people aged 5 and older speak only English at home. Another 14% speak a language other than English at home but report speaking English “very well.” Yet, 9% of individuals aged 5 and older are not proficient in English.
Among immigrants, 53% of individuals aged 5 and older are proficient in English. This reflects the diverse language skills of those who have settled in the U.S.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH FLUENCY FOR IMMIGRANTS
Nearly half of U.S. adults (46%) say it is very important that immigrants speak English fluently. Additionally, over three-quarters of Americans view speaking English as crucial for being considered “truly” American. This sentiment is echoed across racial groups. Among White adults, 82% agree with the statement. The agreement is shared by 78% of Asian adults, highlighting the role of language. Additionally, 75% of Hispanic adults agree. Lastly, 72% of Black adults share this sentiment. Among Republicans, 92% strongly hold this belief, while a smaller majority of Democrats (67%) share the same view.
INTERACTION WITH IMMIGRANTS WHO SPEAK LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH
A large portion of U.S. adults (80%) say they often or sometimes come into contact with immigrants who speak little or no English. While most of these interactions do not bother individuals, the reactions differ along political lines. Among those who encounter immigrants with limited English skills, 60% say these interactions do not bother them. However, 56% of Republicans report being bothered by these interactions. In contrast, 24% of Democrats are bothered. Democrats are less likely to be bothered, with 76% not feeling disturbed.
RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN CONTACT WITH IMMIGRANTS
Hispanic adults (91%) are more likely than Black (79%) adults to say they frequently interact with immigrants who speak little or no English. Asian (79%) and White (78%) adults also report such interactions. Among these groups, a majority of Hispanic (83%), Asian (76%), and Black (64%) adults report that these interactions do not bother them, while White adults are more divided (50% not bothered vs. 49% bothered).
THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Immigrants (87%) are more likely than U.S.-born individuals (79%) to report frequent interactions with immigrants who speak little or no English. Furthermore, immigrants are more likely to find these interactions non-bothersome, with 79% reporting that they are not bothered, compared to 56% of U.S.-born individuals.
A NATION DIVIDED ON LANGUAGE POLICY
The debate over whether English should be the official language of the U.S. highlights deep divides in American society, shaped by political affiliation, race, ethnicity, and generational differences. With many Americans feeling that speaking English is key to being “truly” American, it is clear that language policy is not only about communication but also about identity, culture, and national unity. As the U.S. continues to grapple with these issues in language, the need for respectful dialogue and understanding across cultural and political lines is more critical than ever.
