English-only in Indiana

The English-only movement is essentially an anti-immigrant movement, but they don’t always make it as obvious as this.

An Arizona-like Immigration bill is looming in the Indiana legislature, as one state senator is looking at cracking down on illegal immigrants in Indiana. But the bill goes a little further, making English the only language used by state and local government.

“It’s going to put everyone under the same rule of law, there isn’t going to be a question anymore that people in the state of Indiana are legally able to be here and legally able to work here as well,” State Senator Mike Delph, (R) Carmel, said.

Senator Delph, is the author of Senate Bill 0590. A bill that will require police to as people to verify their legality, for example, during a traffic stop if police suspect they could be illegal.

The bill also mandates all local and state government to only use the English language.

“Any government entity at the state or local level would be required to perform all of their operations and interactions in English, including public meetings, voice activated systems with the telephone or electronic communication,” Delph said.

An English-only provision tacked onto a bill designed to stick it to immigrants. Bit of a giveaway, isn’t it.

Meanwhile, another English-only bill has passed the Indiana House, and is on its way to the Senate. What’s up with Hoosiers these days?