Trump Doubles Down on America-First Agenda, Cuts Language Translation Services for Immigration Agency

[TBoneTX 46,647]

This sounds harsh until we try to find a non-English-speaking country that gives taxpayer- or government-paid interpreters to speakers of English-only.  I also wonder if the "no more interpreters" extends to functions such as asylum interviews.

 

We'll almost certainly need more and clearer information on the extent of this directive.

 

Please keep comments apolitical.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trump Doubles Down on America-First Agenda, Cuts Language Translation Services for Immigration Agency

 

In a move that reflects the Trump administration's commitment to prioritizing American citizens and legal residents, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been directed to end language translation services for those seeking information about their immigration or employment status.  While critics on the left may cry foul, this policy shift is aimed at reducing taxpayer-funded services for individuals who are in the country illegally.

"Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society," the order read.  The DHS has a contract with Legal Interpreting Services that costs the government roughly $3.6 million.  The move is simultaneously with the steps Trump has taken to terminate the contract and reduce reckless spending.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also been directed to cancel its language translation services.  [...]

 

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/03/18/trump-ends-language-translation-services-for-immigration-agency-n2654016

Edited March 19 by TBoneTX

[Leeman15251 44]

I can’t speak for all countries but I am currently living in Austria and they had translators for me when I was moving here. They also offer classes in English and many other languages for new immigrants explaining the different benefits we could be entitled to. They also gave me a voucher i can use towards a language class. All of these were government funded programs. It seems like this would be a better system in the US, helping immigrants assimilate instead of just cutting funding for translators. 

[Dashinka 25,180]

2 hours ago, Leeman15251 said:

I can’t speak for all countries but I am currently living in Austria and they had translators for me when I was moving here. They also offer classes in English and many other languages for new immigrants explaining the different benefits we could be entitled to. They also gave me a voucher i can use towards a language class. All of these were government funded programs. It seems like this would be a better system in the US, helping immigrants assimilate instead of just cutting funding for translators. 

Were you immigrating legally to Austria?  Does every country in the EU do this?  I am not sure, but I doubt it.  I know when my wife came over, her English was proficient, but she wanted to learn more, so she signed up for some ESL classes at the local CC which we paid for.  Should it be provided by the government?  Maybe if a government is promoting immigration, but here in the US is there really a need to promote legal immigration?

[Leeman15251 44]

15 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Were you immigrating legally to Austria?  Does every country in the EU do this?  I am not sure, but I doubt it.  I know when my wife came over, her English was proficient, but she wanted to learn more, so she signed up for some ESL classes at the local CC which we paid for.  Should it be provided by the government?  Maybe if a government is promoting immigration, but here in the US is there really a need to promote legal immigration?

I immigrated legally. My husband is an EU citizen but the programs i was using seemed to be for anyone immigrating here. I don't think most EU countries do similar things, we lived in Hungary for a year and a half before moving here and they didn't offer programs to help but they did allow everything to be done in English at all the government offices i used. 

 

I don't think they should reimburse you if you already paid for classes but I do think having low cost or no cost(to individual) government programs for new migrants to learn English would be a good thing. As well as program teaching about how to live in the country. There is a lot of things someone new to the US wouldn't know automically. When my husband moved to the US I told him all the things he needed to know about living there but not every immigrant would have the help or the money to pay for everything.

Here i went to seminars about worker rights, immigration rules and citizenship requirements, as well as finding apartments and programs available. The US has a lot of immigration and giving them the information they need to build their life would be beneficial to everyone. I learned enough to have a basic life here if we wanted to stay. 

[yuna628 9,772]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

Were you immigrating legally to Austria?  Does every country in the EU do this?  I am not sure, but I doubt it.  I know when my wife came over, her English was proficient, but she wanted to learn more, so she signed up for some ESL classes at the local CC which we paid for.  Should it be provided by the government?  Maybe if a government is promoting immigration, but here in the US is there really a need to promote legal immigration?

From a libertarian point of view, if you aren't promoting legal immigration then you are promoting illegal immigration by default.

 

I've always thought that a government that has programs to help those learn English is another way of ensuring immigrants integrate and are successful. Other countries do certainly ensure their population know other languages from an early age. In your case your wife was already proficient, but not everyone will have that to rely upon. One of my great-grandmothers could speak four languages, another only spoke Germany/PA Dutch and relied upon my grandfather for translation. My husband often sees how many immigrants are coming for ESL classes at the college, but that relies upon immigrants that already have some kind of support system with family and the financial means. There are many immigrants that won't have that resource.

 

We often complain that our own kids can't read, write, or speak properly... and I often hear English speaking persons talk down to immigrants whose grasp of English isn't the best or limited (on both sides of the pond) I think English speaking assistance is one thing that the government could help with that is worthwhile. At the very least I think we could find ways to encourage it that are productive.

[Dashinka 25,180]

23 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

From a libertarian point of view, if you aren't promoting legal immigration then you are promoting illegal immigration by default.

 

I've always thought that a government that has programs to help those learn English is another way of ensuring immigrants integrate and are successful. Other countries do certainly ensure their population know other languages from an early age. In your case your wife was already proficient, but not everyone will have that to rely upon. One of my great-grandmothers could speak four languages, another only spoke Germany/PA Dutch and relied upon my grandfather for translation. My husband often sees how many immigrants are coming for ESL classes at the college, but that relies upon immigrants that already have some kind of support system with family and the financial means. There are many immigrants that won't have that resource.

 

We often complain that our own kids can't read, write, or speak properly... and I often hear English speaking persons talk down to immigrants whose grasp of English isn't the best or limited (on both sides of the pond) I think English speaking assistance is one thing that the government could help with that is worthwhile. At the very least I think we could find ways to encourage it that are productive.

I don't see China or India promoting legal immigration, and really don't see a lot of illegal immigration going on there (at least as reported).

 

I consider myself a conservative with libertarian views, and really just want to see less government.  If the NGOs actually did their jobs according to their charters, and did not act like government money laundering entities (should be called GFOs) then let them support the legal immigrants that do not have a support system.  The comparison of Austria to the US is really apples and oranges, and is essentially the same as a US state doing something.  If the entire EU did it, then let's compare, but otherwise, the states, or EU countries can do what they want.

 

I work with a lot of folks from all over the world.  I have never witnessed any denigration of language skills of someone from outside the US.  I suppose it happens, or is thought about it.  Honestly, I feel lucky that English is the business language.  I guess we can thank the British Empire for that.

[Aluvaboy 69]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

I don't see China or India promoting legal immigration, and really don't see a lot of illegal immigration going on there (at least as reported).

 

I consider myself a conservative with libertarian views, and really just want to see less government.  If the NGOs actually did their jobs according to their charters, and did not act like government money laundering entities (should be called GFOs) then let them support the legal immigrants that do not have a support system.  The comparison of Austria to the US is really apples and oranges, and is essentially the same as a US state doing something.  If the entire EU did it, then let's compare, but otherwise, the states, or EU countries can do what they want.

 

I work with a lot of folks from all over the world.  I have never witnessed any denigration of language skills of someone from outside the US.  I suppose it happens, or is thought about it.  Honestly, I feel lucky that English is the business language.  I guess we can thank the British Empire for that.

I am originally from India. Been in US for 35 years. Illegal immigrants are plenty in India. Especially from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. There are also illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Burma too. But Bangladeshi immigrants account for the most!

[yuna628 9,772]

6 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

I don't see China or India promoting legal immigration, and really don't see a lot of illegal immigration going on there (at least as reported).

 

I consider myself a conservative with libertarian views, and really just want to see less government.  If the NGOs actually did their jobs according to their charters, and did not act like government money laundering entities (should be called GFOs) then let them support the legal immigrants that do not have a support system.  The comparison of Austria to the US is really apples and oranges, and is essentially the same as a US state doing something.  If the entire EU did it, then let's compare, but otherwise, the states, or EU countries can do what they want.

 

I work with a lot of folks from all over the world.  I have never witnessed any denigration of language skills of someone from outside the US.  I suppose it happens, or is thought about it.  Honestly, I feel lucky that English is the business language.  I guess we can thank the British Empire for that.

It's not that I'd like to see less government necessarily, but I'd prefer that government be in it's proper place working to make things better for all and the general welfare as described in Article I.  Whether the federal government have language and civic learning programs or states do (since immigration is a federal domain I'd tend to think it should be federal unless you'd like to go very libertarian and go state domain), I don't care exactly, but I think there's a purpose and place for it that would be very useful. 

 

 Even the Chinese have English learning programs that start in school at an early age. But there are many countries that offer language learning as part of requirements and assist immigrants to do so. Unfortunately I've seen the denigration of immigrants that can't speak English or don't have as strong English skills as others too many times.

[KMG 175]

3 hours ago, Dashinka said:

I don't see China or India promoting legal immigration, and really don't see a lot of illegal immigration going on there (at least as reported).

 

I consider myself a conservative with libertarian views, and really just want to see less government.  If the NGOs actually did their jobs according to their charters, and did not act like government money laundering entities (should be called GFOs) then let them support the legal immigrants that do not have a support system.  The comparison of Austria to the US is really apples and oranges, and is essentially the same as a US state doing something.  If the entire EU did it, then let's compare, but otherwise, the states, or EU countries can do what they want.

 

I work with a lot of folks from all over the world.  I have never witnessed any denigration of language skills of someone from outside the US.  I suppose it happens, or is thought about it.  Honestly, I feel lucky that English is the business language.  I guess we can thank the British Empire for that.

I have to agree- this is something I know USAID could have been doing here in Honduras, especially for the people who planned on legally immigrating. Working WITH the embassy, as they should have been all along instead of partaking in other senseless things that this conservative government here never wanted. Instead of our government paying for it, this is a great way for Americans to offer English teaching services and create jobs in the long run.

Edited March 19 by KMG

[TBoneTX 46,647]

Great discussion from everyone in this thread.  Thank you for your thoughtful input, and keep it up.

 

I'd like to add that churches and support-groups often offer free English classes.  These could certainly be publicized much better in all communities.

 

I haven't seen foreigners being made fun of for their (lack of) English skills.  Having been exposed to Spanish people via Mrs. T-B., I'll say that a lot of them in the U.S. are hesitant because of:

  1.   Latino pride/fear of embarrassment; and

  2.  Lack of opportunity to practice at home.

 

I worked for a university, and the faculty advisors in at least one department actively encouraged the foreign students to find American roommates.  Exposure at least, and immersion optimally, seem to be the ticket.

[Sam Burns 162]

19 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

While critics on the left may cry foul, this policy shift is aimed at reducing taxpayer-funded services for individuals who are in the country illegally.

A hammer to crack a peanut. Pure xenophobia in my opinion.

[Boiler 46,546]

Providing ESL classes seems logical, perhaps start with Americans?

 

I know in the UK they have gone completely over the top, which of course causes a lot of upset, intentionally?

 

Reminds me of I think an ITV comedy series from way back when, now I need to find it.

[TedsGirl 220]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Reminds me of I think an ITV comedy series from way back when, now I need to find it.

Do you mean “Mind your language”? Loved this show from my childhood!

[Boiler 46,546]