It's time for Congress to make English the official language in the United States and pass the English Language Unity Act, an English language advocate says.
"On this policy, we are behind. In fact, more than 90 percent of the world’s nations recognize an official language. And English is the most common, official in 53 nations," Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of U.S. English, Inc., wrote in an opinion piece for
The Hill Friday.
"An official language policy would put the United States on par with other nations in keeping all residents united through a common language," Mujica contends.
He claims that as a nation of immigrants, if we don't have "a common thread to unite us in our diversity, we become divided.
"With more than 325 languages spoken in the United States, English is the bond that brings us all together," wrote Mujica, who is also an immigrant from Chile.
It is for this reason that he is calling on Congress to pass the English Language Unity Act, which was introduced on Feb. 13 by Republican
Rep. Steve King of Iowa.
"There is no more unifying force in the world than a common form of communications currency," King said.
"Every sovereign nation sate, including the Vatican, has at a minimum, an official language," he explained. "It is essential that we make assimilation of our legal immigrants a top priority and learning English is an important first step in that process.
The measure would require that all official business of the U.S. government "be conducted in English, establishes a uniform language requirement for naturalization and places an obligation on representatives of the federal government to encourage individuals to learn English," the Iowa Republican stated.
According to Mujica, the "bill would declare English the official language of the United States government and would also save the federal government tens of thousands of dollars on foreign language materials." But it also gives the U.S. government leave "to use foreign languages in instances relating to public health and safety."
"Even more importantly, operating in one official language sends a clear message to newcomers to the United States: learning English is essential to success," he added.
English is already the official language in 31 states across the country.
Five more states have measures pending that would make English the official language in those states.
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