WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme court agreed to hear an Alabama case where whether the state can conduct official business in “English-only”
where the public is involved.The case brought on by a Latina, argues that private citizens may invoke federal laws aimed at eliminating bias in federally funded programs.
At issue is whether the state
can offer written driver's license tests only in English.
The Lower courts have already said that the state’s policy violates federal laws and ordered the state to provide test in other languages.
In 1991, Alabama voters approved to change the state’s constitution making English the official language of the state.
Alabama argues that the matter is one of state’s rights and that a private citizen has
no standing to bring a suit under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The plaintiff, Martha Sandoval, a permanent resident alien from Mexico who lives in Mobile, Ala., alleges that the English-only policy
violated a federal law known as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The law bars discrimination based on national origin for any program receiving federal funds to comply.
The case is Alexander v. Sandoval, 99-1908.
