<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="">Official language policy needed to unite Washington residents | GUEST OPINION</h1>
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<ul class=""><li>Aug 28, 2014 at 5:00PM</li></ul>
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<p><strong>By Mauro E. Mujica</strong><br><strong>For the Reporter </strong></p>
<p>When it comes to cultivating a welcoming environment for immigrants, policymakers in Washington are lacking.</p>
<p>Yes, the Evergreen State is home to a diverse group of residents.
Washingtonians speak 167 different languages, according to the United
States Census Bureau, and nearly 60 languages are spoken by more than
1,000 residents. But as one of just 19 states without an official
language policy, Washington's immigrants are met with little assistance
to help them assimilate.</p>
<p>More than 8 percent of Washington residents are considered limited
English proficient, meaning they would struggle to carry on more than a
basic conversation in English.</p>
<p>Currently, in an effort to include these residents, the state offers
driver's license examinations in six languages other than English.
Countless state documents and services are offered in foreign languages
for the same reason. Unfortunately, as well intentioned as these
translations may seem, they are misguided when it comes to creating a
unified environment for all residents.</p>
<p>As an immigrant myself, I know that to succeed in the United States,
English proficiency is key. As someone who came to the United States
before the government provided the crutch of native language
translations, I also know that delaying English acquisition does
immigrants no favors.</p>
<p>Without an official language policy, immigrants receive the message
that English is optional, not essential. Without English proficiency,
immigrants are often held back from better, higher paying jobs, health
insurance and more. They are likely to encounter language barriers on a
daily basis at the grocery store, the doctor's office or a child's
school.</p>
<p>Conversely, if Washington's state government agencies offered
services in English, rather than an abundance of foreign languages,
immigrants would face an added incentive to learn English sooner. With
the money saved on translations, the state government could even
designate funding to create additional English language learning classes
or invest in education, infrastructure or other areas in need.</p>
<p>In other words, declaring English the official language of Washington
is a win-win situation for all parties involved. With an Official
English policy, residents are still free to speak the language of their
choosing, but will also benefit from an added incentive to learn
English. That English proficiency can lead to a 30 percent increase in
income, contributing to a better life for the immigrant population and
an improved economic outlook for the state.</p>
<p>Best of all, declaring English the official language is a measure
that is widely supported by citizens of all backgrounds. A Rasmussen
Reports poll conducted on Aug. 9-10 found that 83 percent of Americans
support the policy, and an even more overwhelming 94 percent believe
English proficiency is important to succeed in the United States.</p>
<p>While policymakers may believe they are benefiting Washington's
immigrant population by providing native language translations, reality
could not be farther from the truth. Diversity is an asset, and we
should respect the linguistic and cultural differences among residents
of the United States. But without a common factor to unite us in our
diversity, we remain divided.</p>
<p>I encourage the Washington State Legislature to take action this year
and send a message to all residents that we are united through a
common, shared language, English.</p>
<p><em>Mauro E. Mujica is the chairman of U.S. English, Inc., one of the
nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan citizens' action groups
dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the
United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of
California, U.S. English, Inc. (<a href="http://www.usenglish.org" target="_blank">www.usenglish.org</a>) has more than 1.8 million members.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.kentreporter.com/opinion/272959261.html">http://www.kentreporter.com/opinion/272959261.html</a><br>
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