Combating Language Inequity After Executive Order 14224

The Impact on LEP Communities

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2023), over 25.7 million people in the United States speak English "less than very well." These individuals rely on professional interpreters and translated materials to understand medical diagnoses, participate in their children’s education, or navigate financial and legal systems.

If federal agencies scale back multilingual services, LEP individuals may face life-threatening consequences. A 2022 study published in Health Affairs found that language-concordant care reduced misdiagnosis by 27% and improved patient satisfaction scores by 45% in hospitals that invested in qualified interpreters.

The Role of LSPs in a Post-EO 14224 Landscape

Rather than waiting for legislative reversals, LSPs must respond strategically and swiftly:

1. Educate Stakeholders

LSPs should create targeted campaigns for government agencies, hospitals, and school districts that highlight:

• The financial cost of miscommunication

• Legal liabilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

• ROI of multilingual outreach

  
  

Providing downloadable fact sheets and real-world case studies can empower decision-makers to justify language access investments despite shifting policy.

2. Proactive Policy Advocacy

Partnering with civil rights groups, legal advocates, and school boards to push for local language access mandates can mitigate the impact of EO 14224. Several states, including California and New York, have already reaffirmed their commitment to multilingual services regardless of federal directives.

3. Develop Scalable Solutions

LSPs can leverage affordable, tech-enhanced services like remote interpretation, hybrid translation-AI workflows, and mobile-accessible glossaries to provide high-quality support even on limited budgets.

How GIM Supports LSPs

GIM (Global Interpreting Management) works with LSPs to:

• Develop persuasive educational campaigns for public institutions

• Design compliance-based toolkits that meet both federal and state requirements

• Deliver scalable language services integrating vetted technology and human review

The Burden Lies with the Industry's Response

EO 14224 may signal a shift in federal language policy, but it does not negate the legal, ethical, and social responsibility to serve LEP populations. The burden now falls on LSPs to lead the response—and GIM is ready to help.