in effect
This is a presidential executive order (Executive Order 14224), signed March 1, 2025 and published March 6, 2025. It formally designates English as the official language of the United States and directs certain related changes to federal policy.
The order declares English to be the country’s one official language. It revokes an earlier order from 2000 (Executive Order 13166), which had directed agencies to improve access to services for people with limited English proficiency. At the same time, the order states that nothing in it requires any agency to change the services it provides, and agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or stop producing documents or services offered in languages other than English — those decisions are left to each agency head’s discretion. It directs the Attorney General to rescind any policy guidance issued under the revoked 2000 order and to provide updated guidance consistent with applicable law. The order does not set specific deadlines, dollar amounts, or numeric targets.
The order applies to federal executive agencies and their heads (specifically excluding the Executive Office of the President), with the Attorney General assigned to update the related guidance. People who previously relied on the revoked 2000 order’s language-access direction are the group most directly touched, though the order states that existing services need not change. The order also specifies that it creates no legal rights or benefits that anyone can enforce in court against the government.