HUD to only distribute materials in English under Trump EO: report

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will cease providing materials in languages other than English as part of the federal housing agency’s move to carry out an executive order signed by President Trump making English the United States’ official language.

HUD deputy secretary Andrew Hughes said in a message to employees that putting the executive order in place will "enhance social and economic integration," per the New York Times. Hughes said the agency will cease having contracts for translation services for documents and communications, and that all materials both in paper and online, in languages other than English, would be removed.

"We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission of expanding housing that is affordable," the message to employees read. He said that the agency would continue providing services to those with visual and hearing impairments and continue to follow other legal requirements.

Local 476 of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents HUD employees, wrote on Monday that "Title IV of the Civil Rights Act requires federal agencies & grantees to provide meaningful access to people with limited English proficiency (LEP). HUD can’t just throw that away with a memo."

The union said that an executive order that has been "on the books since 2000," requires agencies to provide LEP access, and that "courts & DOJ have upheld it for decades."

"HUD’s 'English-only' memo is not only discriminatory — it’s illegal. Civil rights laws are still the law of the land. This will be challenged in court, and unions will fight back for both workers & communities."