Washington D.C. – On February 24, 2026, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights approved its report examining language access for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The report was unanimously approved by a bipartisan group of Commissioners and will be finalized and released in May 2026. Upon release, it will be formally transmitted to the President and Congress as part of the Commission’s responsibility to advise the nation’s leaders on civil rights matters.
This report is the culmination of a yearlong investigation, led by Commissioner Glenn Magpantay, that examined the extent to which language barriers impact access to essential government services and healthcare for LEP individuals. The Commission assessed how federal agencies and recipients of federal funding provide language access, where gaps remain, and best practices for strengthening interpretation and translation services.
The investigation began with a briefing held on March 21, 2025, during which the Commission heard testimony from subject matter experts such as language access researchers and attorneys, federal and state government officials, community advocates, and directly impacted individuals.
Chair Rochelle M. Garza stated:
"Access to government services and healthcare should not depend on the language a person speaks. Our unanimous vote reflects bipartisan support for ensuring meaningful access to essential services and care that individuals with limited English proficiency rely on. This report, together with its findings and actionable recommendations, provides a roadmap for strengthening language access across the federal government."
Commissioner Glenn Magpantay, who led the investigation, stated:
“Today, 26 million Americans are limited English proficient. Yet many cannot access essential government services and life-saving healthcare because English may not be their first language. This report surveys challenges in providing language assistance — as is required by several federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations — and offers best practices to ensure every American has equal opportunity to government programs and services.”
The Commission’s final report will include formal findings and recommendations designed to inform federal policy and strengthen enforcement of civil rights protections for LEP individuals.
publicaffairs@usccr.gov