WASHINGTON — The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) applauds the introduction of legislation to codify language access rights, led by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), alongside Congressmembers Juan Vargas (CA-42), Judy Chu (CA-28) and Dan Goldman (NY-10). The bill is introduced on the 52nd anniversary of the landmark 1974 Supreme Court decision Lau v. Nichols, which affirmed that language barriers can constitute unlawful discrimination under federal civil rights law.

Juliet K. Choi, President and CEO of APIAHF, issued the following statement:

“Chair Meng’s leadership sends a clear message: language access is a civil right, not a privilege.

“Nearly nine percent of the U.S. population — about 26 million people — are limited English proficient, including more than one in three Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Ensuring meaningful access to education, health care, voting and essential public services is imperative to nationwide equity.

“Lau v. Nichols affirmed a simple principle: meaningful access is essential to participation in civic life.

“As we mark the 52nd anniversary of that decision, this legislation moves us closer to making language access enforceable, durable, and real for communities across the country.”

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Achieving health equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through law, policy and practice.