English Language Unity Act of 2025
The English Language Unity Act of 2025 would establish English as the official language of the United States and set a uniform English standard for federal naturalization procedures. It would require that official federal government functions be conducted in English (with specified exceptions), and it would mandate that naturalization testing and ceremonies be conducted in English, including reading the English-language text of foundational documents and federal laws. The bill also adds general rules of construction for English-language texts of U.S. laws to guide interpretation and resolution of ambiguities, and it directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform English-language testing within 180 days after enactment. In addition, the bill creates a National English Language Day to be proclaimed by the President. The changes would take effect 180 days after enactment for the main provisions. The bill contains several exemptions and clarifications: it allows unofficial communications in other languages by federal actors performing official duties, preserves certain Native languages, avoids disparaging any language, and specifies broad contexts where English-language requirements do not apply (e.g., education under IDEA, national security, public health and safety, census activities, and certain legal rights protections). It also states that general rules of construction should favor rights retained by the people and state powers when resolving ambiguities.
Key Points
- 1English as the official language and English-only official functions
- 2- The bill designates English as the official language of the United States and requires federal government functions to be conducted in English, with listed exceptions (e.g., teaching languages, national security, health and safety, census activities, etc.). It creates a new Chapter 6 in Title 4 U.S.C. outlining these requirements and related protections.
- 3Uniform English language rule for naturalization
- 4- It establishes a uniform standard that naturalization applicants must be able to read and understand the English text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the federal laws made under the Constitution. All naturalization ceremonies would be conducted in English.
- 5Rules of construction for English-language texts of laws
- 6- The bill adds a new general rule of construction (Sec. 9) stating that English-language requirements and workplace policies should be presumed consistent with U.S. law, and that ambiguities in English law texts should be resolved in a way that does not deny rights or reserve powers to the States or the people, referencing the last two amendments of the Bill of Rights.
- 7Implementing regulations
- 8- The Secretary of Homeland Security would issue, within 180 days of enactment, a proposed rule for uniform English-language testing of naturalization candidates.
- 9National English Language Day
- 10- A new provision would add National English Language Day to Title 36 of the U.S. Code, with a requirement for a presidential proclamation recognizing the role of English in the American nation.
- 11Effective date
- 12- The amendments related to official language, general construction, and National English Language Day would take effect 180 days after enactment (the implementing-regulations process is also tied to these timelines).