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MIC Response to Executive Order of March 1, 2025 "Designating English as the Official Language of the United States"

March 2025

The Center for Multilingual and Intercultural Communication (MIC) strongly opposes any executive order declaring English as the official language of the United States. Such a measure is unnecessary, divisive, and harmful to linguistic diversity, educational equity, and democratic values—principles that are foundational to both our Center’s mission and the broader academic community.

As a research center committed to advancing multilingualism and intercultural communication, MIC recognizes that the United States has long thrived as a multilingual nation. Declaring English as the sole official language of the United States would marginalize millions of multilingual Americans, particularly immigrants, Indigenous communities, and heritage language speakers, undermining their linguistic rights and cultural heritage. Such a policy threatens access to essential government services, education, and legal protections for those whose dominant language is not English. It creates barriers to civic engagement, compromises public safety, and limits social mobility. It also directly contradicts our University’s mission of fostering inclusive excellence, global engagement, and equitable access to education.

Decades of linguistics and applied linguistics research affirm that multilingualism strengthens cognitive flexibility, enhances intercultural engagement, and drives innovation. Universities and research centers like MIC play a crucial role in fostering multilingual education and intercultural competence—key assets in an interconnected world.  As educators and scholars, we stand firm in our commitment to linguistic diversity, linguistic rights, and multilingual education. Language is a bridge—not a barrier—to knowledge, opportunity, and civic participation.