Federal Government Must Use English for Official Business, Citizenship Test Gets Harder Under New Unity Act

The “English Language Unity Act of 2025” is straightforward: it makes English the official language of the United States government. This isn’t just a symbolic move; the bill requires that all official functions of the U.S. Government—meaning all laws, public meetings, regulations, and official documents—must be carried out in English. Federal employees now have an “affirmative obligation” to maintain and strengthen English as the language for federal business. This is set to kick in 180 days after the bill becomes law.

The New Rules of Engagement for Federal Services

For most people, the immediate impact will be on how they interact with federal agencies. If you’ve ever needed a government form or guidance translated, this bill narrows that window considerably. However, the bill does include some crucial exceptions that keep essential services running. The English-only rule does not apply to things like national security, international trade, or actions necessary to protect public health and safety. If you’re a parent relying on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), those services are also protected. The bill also explicitly states it won't affect the use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages, which is an important carve-out for those communities.

Citizenship: Reading the Fine Print Just Got Mandatory

If you or someone you know is planning to apply for U.S. citizenship, Section 3 raises the bar significantly. Currently, naturalization requires demonstrating an understanding of English. This bill tightens that requirement: applicants must now show they can read and generally understand the English text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws made under the Constitution. Think about that for a second—even many native English speakers struggle to parse 18th-century legal language. The Secretary of Homeland Security has 180 days to develop new, standardized testing rules based on this higher standard. This change will require a much deeper level of English literacy and civic knowledge for new citizens, potentially slowing down the naturalization process for many otherwise qualified candidates.

When Ambiguity Strikes: The Rule of Construction

Section 4 introduces a fascinating rule about how federal laws written in English must be interpreted if they contain any ambiguity. If there’s a confusing part in a federal law or regulation, that ambiguity must be resolved by looking back at the spirit of the last two amendments in the Bill of Rights (the Ninth and Tenth Amendments). Practically speaking, this means unclear federal wording shouldn't be used to take away rights kept by the people or powers reserved for the states. This is a subtle but powerful change that could be used in court to challenge federal regulations that are deemed unclear and potentially overreaching, favoring states' rights and individual liberties in the interpretation of federal law.

What This Means on the Ground

While the bill includes exceptions for public safety, the general mandate that all official government business must be in English could create administrative hurdles for non-native English speakers. Imagine a small business owner navigating complex new environmental regulations or a family trying to apply for federal housing assistance. Even if the law allows for a translated document under a public safety exception, the default position of the federal government will be English-only. This shift could mean fewer resources dedicated to translation services across the board, making it harder for people who are still learning English to access critical government information and services, even with the best intentions of the exceptions.