English Language Unity Act of 2005
Official title: To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid misconstruction… Show full official titleShow less
Official title: To declare English as the official language of the United States, to establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization, and to avoid misconstructions of the English language texts of the laws of the United States, pursuant to Congress' powers to provide for the general welfare of the United States and to establish a uniform rule of naturalization under article I, section 8, of the Constitution.
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2948-2949)
English Language Unity Act of 2005 - Declares English to be the official language of the United States. Establishes the affirmative obligation of the representatives of the Federal Government to preserve and enhance the role of the English language as the Government's official language. Requires the official functions of the Government to be conducted in English. Requires: (1) a uniform English language testing standard for U.S. naturalization; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to, and rules of construction for, such requirements.
Authorizes persons injured by violations of this Act to obtain appropriate relief in civil actions.
Declares, as a general rule of construction, that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States.
Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/
"H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/.
H.R. 997, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/.
[H.R. 997: English Language Unity Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-997/)