The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has embarked on a transformative initiative, emphasizing fiscal prudence and national cohesion by implementing an English-only policy across its services.
This strategic move aligns with President Trump's executive order from March 2025, which officially designated English as the United States' national language.
According to The New York Post, HUD Deputy Secretary Andrew Hughes outlined the initiative in a memo, highlighting its objectives to streamline operations, eliminate unnecessary spending on multilingual translations, and ensure the department communicates with "one voice and one language."
Effective immediately, HUD will eliminate non-English content from its websites, buildings, and materials. All forms of communication, whether physical or digital, will be exclusively in English. This policy shift includes the discontinuation of non-English translation services, with existing promotional materials for such services being replaced with English-only versions.
The department is also set to review and potentially terminate contracts for translation services, a move anticipated to save taxpayers substantial amounts previously spent on accommodating over 222 languages.
Deputy Secretary Hughes articulated the unifying vision behind this policy, stating, "We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission of expanding housing that is affordable, helping those in need, caring for our most vulnerable Americans, and revitalizing rural, tribal, and urban communities."
He further assured that HUD remains committed to accessibility, ensuring that all individuals have meaningful access to its programs and services, including continued support for those who are hearing or visually impaired under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This initiative is a direct consequence of President Trump's executive order, which rescinded a directive from the Clinton administration. In 2001, just before leaving office, Bill Clinton issued an executive order to enhance access to government services for individuals with limited English proficiency.
This policy expanded into costly multilingual bureaucracies under subsequent administrations. President Trump's order, issued in March, reversed this trend by declaring English as the nation's official language, allowing agencies like HUD to concentrate on their primary mission.
The Justice Department has already provided guidance to federal agencies on implementing the order, with updated rules and opportunities for public comment anticipated within six months. HUD's actions position it as the latest department to adopt this America First approach, ensuring resources are allocated to affordable housing and community revitalization rather than endless translations.
While the policy includes limited exceptions to comply with laws such as the Violence Against Women Act's nondiscrimination provisions, the overall shift represents a commonsense reform. For years, HUD catered to non-English speakers, including low-income legal immigrants, through interpretation lines and multilingual materials. By prioritizing English, the department is fostering assimilation and self-reliance, which are vital for a strong, united nation.
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