Texas Wants English to Be the Common Language of Citizenship

At least 14% of Texans say they don’t speak English well. Rep. Brandon Gill, a Texas Republican, wants to change that.

Last week, Gill introduced the English Language Proficiency Act, which would require immigrants to be proficient in English to become citizens. The bill was cosponsored by Republican Reps. Beth Van Duyne of Texas, Barry Moore of Alabama, and Randy Fine of Florida.

“English is what binds us together as a society,” Fine told the Daily Signal in an interview. “If you don’t speak English, you cannot fully integrate into what it means to be an American. English should be our national language, and everyone should be required to speak it.”

Existing federal law requires proficiency in English to become a citizen—in most cases. But there is a crucial loophole: Applicants do not need English proficiency if they are more than 50 years old and lawful permanent residents for more than 20 years, or 55 years old and lawful permanent residents for more than 15 years.

Gill’s bill would require English proficiency regardless of age. Van Duyne said this brings higher incomes and better economic prospects for immigrants.

“People coming to the United States should not be a burden on our nation, and being able to speak our common language helps ensure they will be productive and better able to assimilate,” Van Duyne told the Daily Signal in a statement. “How this is also a safety concern to Americans is seen in cases of CDL holders who are unable to read road signs or safety warnings, putting American drivers at risk on our highways.”

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Texas has increasingly emphasized English proficiency. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott directed state officials to strictly enforce English-language requirements for commercial truck drivers.

“Every commercial driver license operator on Texas roadways must be able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, follow safety directions, and prevent accidents,” Abbott said in a press release.

Texas is an incredibly diverse state. From 2020 to 2024, 17.6% of the state’s population was foreign born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And nearly 36% of Texans say they don’t speak English at home.

This is higher than America’s numbers overall. In 2025, about 15.8% of American residents were immigrants, according to Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, 22% of people living across the nation spoke a language other than English at home. Some argue that because America is so diverse, it doesn’t need a national language. Others argue both America and Texas need a shared language to allow communication between people of different backgrounds and cultures, and to foster unity.

“You can have diversity while having everyone speak English,” Fine said. “How can you have diversity if people can’t communicate? Twenty groups of people who can’t communicate with each other—that’s not diversity, that’s the balkanization of a country.”

Other voices argue that discouraging immigrants to learn English places them at a disadvantage in society—and harms the nation overall.

“English proficiency enables new citizens to understand our laws and institutions, exercise their rights, communicate independently, and take an active role in the life of the country they have chosen to join,” Ellen Hamilton-Cotton, executive director at ProEnglish, told the Daily Signal. “It also strengthens the common bond that allows Americans from every background to live and work together as one people.”

When citizens don’t share a common language, barriers arise in employment, public safety, and civic participation, according to Hamilton-Cotton.

“English is not a barrier to belonging,” she said. “It’s the bridge that allows Americans of every background to participate as one nation.”

History shows many of the world’s greatest civilizations recognized the value of a common language. Alexander the Great’s conquests helped spread Koine Greek across much of the eastern Mediterranean, creating a common language for trade, government, and learning, while the Roman Empire relied on Latin to administer its vast territories.

Though local languages remained, both recognized that a shared language strengthened civic life and helped unite diverse populations.

A national language is not a new idea. Former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt, who oversaw massive waves of immigration, emphasized the importance of language in fostering national identity.

“In this country we must have but one flag, the American flag; but one language, the English language; and above all, but one loyalty, an exclusive and undivided loyalty to the United States.”