American Civil Liberties Union : ACLU Applauds Sen. Clinton and Rep. Honda for Language Rights Bill

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ACLU Applauds Sen. Clinton and Rep. Honda for Language Rights Bill (7/24/2008)

Legislation will protect citizens and residents as they learn English

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (202) 675-2312, media@dcaclu.org

WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union applauds Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Representative Michael Honda (D-CA) for introducing a bill that protects the rights of English language learners. “Strengthening Communities Through English and Integration Act of 2008” will increase investment in English literacy programs, business support for adult education and training programs as well as other local strategies for integrating immigrant communities.

The following can be attributed to Joanne Lin, ACLU Legislative Counsel:

“The ACLU applauds Senator Clinton and Representative Honda for introducing a language rights bill. The ‘Strengthening Communities Through English and Integration Act of 2008’ will accelerate the integration of immigrant communities.

“Over 50 million people speak a language other than English at home. An estimated 11 million to 21 million U.S. citizens and permanent residents with limited English proficiency live in the United States. Nearly 20 percent of our population cannot understand English to a degree that allows them to interact with government, schools, businesses, medical providers and emergency personnel.”

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