In an effort to push an English-only agenda across the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has issued a memo requiring English-only across all Departmental services.
According to a new memo obtained by The New York Post, HUD Deputy Secretary Andrew Hughes advised Department leadership of a March Executive Order by President Trump designating English as the official language of the United States. Trump’s Executive Order revokes an order issued by Bill Clinton in August of 2000, “Improving Access Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” requiring federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.
“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,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Hughes in the memo.
Last July the Department, through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), made available translated versions of 19 single-family mortgage documents used in the servicing of FHA-insured mortgages. These documents became available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese to assist lenders, servicers, housing counselors, and other FHA program participants in explaining information related to FHA-insured mortgages to those with limited English proficiency prior to the execution of these documents in English,
HUD reportedly will recognize languages outside of English in select instances, including accommodations required under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Violence Against Women Act, which have nondiscrimination provisions that may apply to language in some situations.
Hughes added in the memo, “HUD will continue to ensure that all persons have meaningful access to HUD programs and services will continue to provide communication services to the hearing and seeing impaired, and persons with related disabilities.”
HUD leadership was urged to remove all printed or digital collateral about non-English translation services currently displayed in its offices.
“All HUD communications, correspondence, and physical and digital published materials will be produced exclusively in English and that we will no longer offer non-English translation services,” Hughes stated.
In July, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo on how to best carry out President Trump’s Executive Order.
“A shared language binds Americans together, transcending different backgrounds to create a common foundation for public discourse, government operations, and civic life, while leaving ample room for the vibrant linguistic diversity that thrives in private and community spheres,” stated the DOJ in its July memo. “This policy streamlines federal processes—ensuring forms, notices, websites, and advisories are consistent, clear, and cost-effective-thus reducing administrative burdens and enhancing operational efficiency across agencies. Beyond efficiency, English proficiency empowers individuals with a vital pathway to civic engagement, equipping them with the tools to contribute to public discourse, volunteer in civic initiatives, and meaningfully monitor current events-key pillars of informed citizenship and participation in our democracy. This initiative is not merely a return to tradition, but a forward-looking strategy to enhance social and economic integration, offering all residents the opportunity to learn and embrace English as a means of achieving the American dream.”
Click here for more on President Trump’s Executive Order, “Designating English as the Official Language of The United States.”
