H.R. 1862 — English Language Unity Act of 2025

This section declares congressional findings that (1) the United States comprises individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds who have assimilated into American traditions; (2) the English language has historically united individuals of differing backgrounds; and (3) states should establish English as their official language and promote its use, subject to constitutional and state law prohibitions.

This section establishes English as the official language of the United States by adding a new chapter 6 to Title 4, United States Code. The chapter (1) imposes an affirmative obligation on federal government representatives to preserve and enhance the role of English in federal government; (2) requires official government functions—defined to include those that bind the government, are required by law, or subject to public scrutiny—in the several states and the District of Columbia to be conducted in English, applying to all laws, proceedings, regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and policies except for specified matters (e.g., language teaching, requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, national security, public health and safety, census activities, crime victim and defendant rights, and non-English terms of art); (3) establishes a uniform English language testing standard for naturalization applicants, requiring them to read and understand the English text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws, with all naturalization ceremonies conducted in English; and (4) includes rules of construction preserving unofficial communications in other languages, Native American and Alaskan languages, and constitutional consistency.

This section adds a new section 9 to chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, establishing general rules of construction for U.S. laws. New subsection (a) provides that English language requirements and workplace policies, in public or private sectors, are presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. New subsection (b) directs that ambiguities in the English language text of U.S. laws be resolved in accordance with the Ninth and Tenth Amendments (i.e., not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people or powers reserved to the states or the people). This section also makes a clerical amendment to the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of title 1.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 180 days after the date of enactment, to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of naturalization candidates. The testing is based on the principle that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and U.S. laws made in pursuance thereof.

This section establishes National English Language Day by adding a new section to chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, requiring the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the integral nature of the English language in the American nation.