Posted by
Team Turk on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 5:15:26 PM
From United Press International:
Cities and states across the United States, against a setting of increased immigration debate, are trying to make English the official language.
Arizona has a measure pending for its ballot, USA Today said Monday. Bills have passed one chamber in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Michigan and await action in the other. At least five communities approved English ordinances while another eight are considering them. The U.S. Senate version of an immigration bill includes a language provision as well.
While specific language varies, the propositions generally say government business must be conducted in English, except for emergency services, USA Today said. By federal law, election information must be available in other languages as well.
Supporters said the measures aren't anti-immigrant because they help immigrants assimilate into the United States, USA Today said. Critics disagree, saying among other things, that such measures deprive non-English-speaking people the right to information in a language they understand.
Several cities have rejected English proposals while other proposals have been challenged in court, USA Today said. Twenty-seven states have passed laws making English their official language.