The Center for American Unity Statement on Sandoval v. Alexander

The defining characteristic of our great nation, the attribute that distinguishes us as Americans and provides the nation with a sense of unity and common direction, is our English language — the language of Washington, of Jefferson, of Lincoln and so many other Americans who have come before us.

Our language allows us to communicate with one another and share our ideas, but also continuously reminds us that we are Americans with a common desire to see our nation prosper.

In this sense, English provides the fabric that unites this land of individuals as a country.

But today, our common language is being threatened — and along with it, our heritage as a nation.

The ruling in Sandoval v. Alexander is a prime example of the threat our historical unity is facing. By accepting the People of Alabama’s appeal, the United States Supreme Court has the opportunity to reverse this destructive decision.

Sandoval takes the unprecedented position that the language a person speaks is tantamount to that person’s national origin. More specifically, Sandoval gives legal force to the

proposition that if a state does not provide services in any language a person demands, the state has unlawfully discriminated vis a vis national origin.

The Center, like minded representative organizations, and United States congressmen, have joined forces to file a "friend of the court" brief We are alerting the Court to the broad impact this case will have on Americans in all walks of life. Our brief reviews major changes in American life since the Court last looked at the "English language" question.

Examples abound: It is now clear that the success of American education is tied to our unifying language. So-called "bilingual" education has failed; teaching in English succeeds. Yet federal agencies continue aggressive attacks on successful English-language policies and programs. One such federal agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, is steadily increasing its attacks on employers who require their employees to speak English on the job.