The New Administration Makes English the Official Language—What Does That Mean for Puerto Rico?

President Donald Trump has officially designated English as the official language of the United States. This is a first in the country’s nearly 250-year history. The executive order, signed on March 2, 2025, rescinds a Clinton-era mandate that required federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, according to AP News.

The order does not outright ban multilingual government services. However, it allows agency heads to decide whether to continue offering translations. The White House framed the move as a way to promote “national cohesion” and encourage immigrants to integrate linguistically. The administration’s statement claims that speaking English “opens doors economically” and helps people “engage in their communities” while reinforcing shared national values.

While more than 30 U.S. states already have laws designating English as their official language, this is the first time such a designation has been made at the federal level.

What Does English as the Official Language Mean for Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory where Spanish is the dominant language. However, the island has long had a complex relationship with its linguistic identity. While both Spanish and English are officially recognized languages on the island, Spanish is overwhelmingly the language of government, education, and daily life. According to NBC News, only about a quarter of Puerto Ricans are fluent in English.

The executive order does not explicitly outline how Puerto Rico will be affected. Still, the fact that agencies can now determine when and how to offer Spanish-language services has raised concerns. Puerto Rico’s nonvoting congressional representative, Rep. Pablo José Hernández, has called the order “a vision of American identity that conflicts with our Puerto Rican identity.”

“There will be no statehood without assimilation, and Puerto Ricans will never surrender our identity,” Hernández said in a statement. For pro-statehood advocates, this raises questions about whether statehood would mean prioritizing English over Spanish in government and education.

The Debate: Does Statehood Mean Assimilation?

The relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States has always been tied to questions of identity, and language is at the center of that debate. The Puerto Rico Status Act, debated under the Biden administration, sparked concerns over whether Spanish would remain the island’s dominant language if it became a state. Advocates like Power 4 Puerto Rico, a coalition advocating for Puerto Ricans on the island, have pushed for explicit guarantees that Spanish would remain integral to government operations.

In response to Trump’s executive order, the coalition reiterated its stance, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“As we have said many times, any legislation around #PuertoRico’s status must make crystal clear whether a statehood scenario will continue to allow -OR NOT- Puerto Ricans to fully operate our govt, schools, courts—our way of life—in Spanish.”

But not everyone is concerned. Pro-statehood advocate Charlie Rodríguez, chairman of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party, downplayed the executive order’s impact. “Statehood does not represent the loss of our identity, nor does it represent cultural changes,” he told NBC News.

The Bigger Picture: Is This About Language or Immigration?

Many see Trump’s executive order as part of a broader anti-immigrant agenda. Mother Jones reports that the move is “a bureaucratic—and largely symbolic—means of enacting Trump’s xenophobic agenda,” particularly given his past rhetoric linking English proficiency to American identity.

During his first presidential campaign in 2015, Trump criticized Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish at rallies, stating, “This is a country where we speak English, not Spanish.” More recently, during a 2024 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump tied multilingualism to voter fraud, saying, “A lot of these illegal immigrants coming in, they’re trying to get them to vote. They can’t even speak English.”

Critics argue that the executive order is more about sending a political message than practical policy. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued a statement on X, saying:

“America has never had an official language—because we don’t need one. Trump’s plan to make English official is a direct attack on our diversity and history. Millions of Americans speak other languages, and that doesn’t make them any less American.”

Puerto Rico’s Future in the Balance

For Puerto Rico, the English Official Language order underscores the complexities of its relationship with the United States. As political battles over Puerto Rico’s status continue, language remains a key factor in the debate. Will Spanish continue to dominate the island’s schools, government, and culture, or is this executive order a signal that statehood would come with the expectation of English assimilation?

For now, Puerto Ricans are left with more questions than answers.