Navigating Change: What EO 14224 and EO 14173 Mean for LEP and Environmental Justice Compliance

Mary
May 6
3 min read

In a significant shift for federal civil rights policy, the Trump Administration recently issued two new executive orders—EO 14224 and EO 14173—that revoke longstanding directives governing Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Environmental Justice (EJ). These changes carry meaningful implications for agencies, subrecipients, and Title VI practitioners tasked with ensuring nondiscriminatory access to federally funded programs.

This blog unpacks the updates and explains how your organization can adapt and maintain compliance in the evolving landscape of civil rights obligations.

Executive Order 14224: Designating English as the Official Language

What It Replaces: EO 14224 revokes Executive Order 13166 (2000), which had long guided federal agencies on improving access for individuals with Limited English Proficiency.

What’s New: EO 14224 designates English as the official language of the United States. Key highlights include:

Official Language Declaration: English is formally recognized as the official language of the United States.
Policy Implications: The revocation of EO 13166 may impact how federal agencies address language access for LEP individuals.

Implications for Subrecipients and Local Agencies:

Review and potentially revise Language Access Plans to align with the new federal directive.
Monitor for further guidance from federal agencies on implementing language access services under the new framework.

Executive Order 14173: Reinventing Environmental Justice Policy

What It Replaces: EO 14173 revokes Executive Order 12898 (1994), which was the first directive to focus federal attention on environmental justice for minority and low-income populations.

What’s New: EO 14173 marks a transformative shift in Environmental Justice (EJ), emphasizing a commitment to inclusivity for every individual and every community, transcending traditional protected classes. This Executive Order champions the principle of equality, ensuring that all citizens benefit from a fair and just approach to environmental policies. The following priorities reflect this positive vision:

Priorities Reflecting a Positive Vision

Continuing from the theme of strengthened community engagement, the following priorities are essential to foster a positive vision:

Inclusive Decision-Making: Establish mechanisms for involving community members in the decision-making processes regarding environmental policies.
Education and Awareness: Implement programs that educate communities about environmental issues and empower them to advocate for their rights.
Resource Allocation: Ensure that funding and resources are directed towards initiatives that benefit the most affected communities.
Partnerships with Local Organizations: Collaborate with local NGOs and community groups to leverage their knowledge and networks for effective outreach.
Monitoring and Accountability: Develop systems to monitor environmental impacts and hold polluters accountable, ensuring community voices are heard in these processes.
Support for Sustainable Practices: Encourage and support local initiatives that promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

By prioritizing these areas, we can ensure that community engagement leads to meaningful change and a healthier environment for all.

What Should You Do Now?

To stay ahead and remain compliant under these new directives:

Update Your Language Access Plan: Reflect the priorities of EO 14224, including tech-enhanced service delivery and performance tracking.
Review and Strengthen Policies: Align with EO 14173 by ensuring data-informed, community-driven, and health-conscious planning.
Train Your Team: Offer updated Title VI, LEP, and Outreach training—self-paced courses can help integrate changes efficiently.
Engage Stakeholders: Communicate with stakeholders about these changes and how your organization plans to address them.
Monitor Federal Guidance: Agencies like USDOT, USDOJ, FHWA, and FTA will issue updates—be ready to incorporate new tools and metrics.

Conclusion:

The revocation of EO 13166 and EO 12898 marks a pivotal transition—but not a departure—from the core civil rights principles of access and equality. Instead, EO 14224 and EO 14173 aim to modernize and reinforce these principles with smarter tools, stronger accountability, and a clearer focus on impact. Now is the time to refresh your policies, invest in training, and reaffirm your commitment to service delivery.

Need help updating your Title VI or LAP plans? Contact our team for tailored support, training, and compliance tools.