Oregon Dept. of Forestry Discriminating Against English Speaking Fire Chiefs

Statement by U.S. English, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica

“The action by the Oregon Department of Forestry is unprecedented in American history.

Never before in American history have we kicked English speaking leaders to the sideline because of their inability to speak the language of the unassimilated. Have we come to an age where native-born Americans must step aside in deference to immigrants who have not assimilated?

“Oregon officials call the bilingual regulation necessary due to safety. Yet that is exactly the reason why we should require fire fighting crews to speak our common language, English. Firefighting requires the same type of ease of communication as the military. In order to protect life and limb, it is imperative that people can communicate easily and quickly. Such dialogue cannot happen when crews are battling a fire and multiple languages at the same time.

“This action is part of a disturbing national trend to craft policies declaring English learning as optional. Whether it is a heavy equipment operator in California suing the state in order to take his safety exam in a language other than English or a driver in Alabama suing the state in order to get her driver’s license exam in Spanish, there is a previously unheard of sentiment in some circles that English proficiency requirements are about discrimination rather than safety and sensibility.

“Imagine if air traffic controllers were required to know every language of every pilot in the sky. How many accidents would it take to realize that when precise instructions are required, communication in a common language is key? This is why the International Civil Aviation Organization made English its official language in 1951, making English the language of the skies. In order to fly, pilots must speak English, and in order to be an Air Traffic Controller, you must speak English.

“For generations, Americans have welcomed those who were willing to follow the rules, learn our language and customs and become part of society. Sadly, Oregon has gone the other direction, requiring Americans to become fluent in other languages at the same time it places no responsibility on immigrants to learn the language of society. Unless this mistake is corrected, I fear Oregon forest fire fighters and all Americans will experience the severe repercussions of this rule.”