More Equitable Democracy launched in January 2018 and serves as a nonprofit intermediary working with communities of color to advance electoral system reforms that increase representation for underrepresented communities. We strive to be co-creators within these communities to establish stronger bonds of democracy while empowering these groups with education, research, and the tools to strategically implement long-term change.
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LEP.gov, an online library of multilingual materials, used to be a resource for agencies and individuals alike but was suspended in July after Trump’s executive order.
Online Federal Multilingual Resources Continue to Disappear under Trump Executive Order
Nov 11, 2025
WASHINGTON - On March 1, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring English as the United States’ official language. Since then, some federal agencies, like the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing & Urban Development, have removed multilingual resources from their websites; others have not. The executive order does not require their removal.
Language access, or the provision of non-English translation services or materials, assists over 25 million individuals in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP). Experts say reducing language access will hurt government efficiency.
“It will make government programs less effective because they'll be unable to reach many individuals that they might reach otherwise,” Jacob Hofstetter, a policy analyst from the Migration Policy Institute, said.
Trump’s executive order repeals a Clinton executive order that required federal agencies to provide language access for public-facing programs.
Since Trump’s order, the DOJ has taken down almost all of its multilingual resources. HUD took down much of its multilingual materials, eliminated non-English translation services, and issued an “English only policy.” Additionally, lep.gov, a centralized online library of multilingual resources, was suspended in July. The website now reads that the “materials will be replaced when new guidance is issued.”
The website, launched in 2002 by the DOJ, included links to federal agencies’ guidance on Limited English Proficiency. Hofstetter said this removal could have a rippling effect across the federal government.
“[It] was used as a model for a lot of other agencies' guidance,” Hofstetter said. “It has also been a key source of technical assistance and information for a wide range of entities that receive federal funding, that are seeking to provide language access. Though it was always guidance, the rescinding of it does also represent a pretty serious consequence for the field.”
Hofstetter said Clinton’s original executive order “filled some gaps” in previous legislation, like Title VI and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that required language access only for federally funded programs, but not federal agencies.
Trump’s guidance comes in the form of an executive order, and can’t override current law. Federally funded programs are still required to provide language access in accordance with previous laws.
Mara Youdelman, managing director of the National Health Law Program, said Trump’s executive order is confusing for some federally funded programs about their language responsibilities.
“It certainly seems to imply, ‘Well, okay, we don't have to provide services,’” Youdelman said. “But executive orders don't exist in a vacuum, and they have to be understood and read in conjunction with other requirements.”
She said this confusion is intentionally “sown by this administration” to prevent LEP individuals from getting help.
“There's also really serious public safety and public health implications that come along with language access as well,” Hofstetter said. “You can imagine if you didn't issue emergency alerts in languages other than English, folks might be exposed to dangers from natural disasters or other events solely due to their limited proficiency in English.”
A memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi says the DOJ plans to issue new language access guidance early next year.
“The Department will issue new guidance, for public comment, that presents clear, practical guidelines that help agencies prioritize English while explaining precisely when and how multilingual assistance remains necessary to fulfill their respective agencies' mission and efficiently provide Government services,” Bondi said.
Hofstetter warned that this could be just the start of limiting language.
Isabella Jacob covers immigration and demographics for Medill on the Hill. The Michigan native is a sophomore at Northwestern University studying journalism and entrepreneurship.
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a herd of cows standing next to each other in a barn
Photo by MRC Témiscamingue on Unsplash
After ICE Raid, Wisconsin’s Dairy Labor Crisis Deepens
Nov 11, 2025
Wisconsin built its identity as “America’s Dairyland” on family farms and world-class cheese production. But behind the barns and milking parlors, farmers and workers alike acknowledge a quiet reality. Without undocumented labor, the state’s dairy industry would struggle to survive.
Immigrants, many of them Latino and without legal status, make up the majority of workers who milk cows and clean barns across Wisconsin. A 2023 survey from the University of Wisconsin’s School for Workers estimated that immigrant labor accounts for about 70 percent of the state’s dairy workforce. Farmers say they cannot find enough U.S.-born workers willing to take on the grueling, round-the-clock work, and without immigrant employees, the milk supply would not be able to meet demand.
Latinos now make up about 13% percent of Wisconsin’s population, or nearly 450,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That share has more than doubled since 2000, reflecting both new migration and the growth of second-generation families. Many of those residents live in counties where dairy production drives the local economy, tying Latino communities directly to the fortunes of the state’s signature industry.
Unlike seasonal crop workers, most dairy employees are excluded from the federal H-2A visa program that provides temporary visas for agricultural labor. Because no visa covers year-round dairy work, thousands of immigrant employees in Wisconsin remain undocumented. Farmers depend on them to keep their herds healthy and production steady, but the workers themselves have no path to legal protection.
“The bottom line is, in Wisconsin, 70% of our farms … 70% of the people may be part of the federal government’s idea to move them elsewhere, out of our country,” Gov. Evers said in a press conference earlier this year. “Think about that. How in the hell will we continue to be the Dairy State with no one to milk the cows and do the other important work?”
That reliance has become more fraught in 2025 as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has conducted more workplace raids and arrests across Wisconsin, unsettling both urban and rural communities. In Milwaukee, a series of arrests left families afraid to attend public events or move freely around the city. Employees fear that a traffic stop or routine encounter could end in deportation.
The raids have also reached the farms themselves. In Monroe, workers at W&W Dairy staged a rare strike this summer after the company introduced E-Verify, the federal system for checking employment eligibility. Dozens walked out, arguing that the change would force out longtime workers who had no legal status and leave them without severance after years of service.
In late September, a major ICE operation swept through Manitowoc County, detaining 24 people, many of them dairy workers, during a multistate investigation described by officials as targeting a trafficking ring.
For many immigrant employees, the risks stretch beyond the possibility of arrest. Without legal status, they cannot obtain driver’s licenses in Wisconsin, which means commuting to work itself can put them in jeopardy. A ProPublica investigation found that dairy workers regularly risked deportation simply by driving tractors on rural roads or transporting milk. The University of Wisconsin’s School for Workers has also documented cases of labor trafficking on dairy farms, where immigrants faced exploitative conditions and feared leaving for fear of retaliation.
At the same time, some farmers say they feel caught between political pressure to crack down on undocumented labor and the daily reality that their operations cannot run without it.
The contradictions in Wisconsin reflect a national dilemma. Worksite raids, meant to open jobs for citizens, often disrupt businesses and leave employers scrambling to replace experienced staff. The Wisconsin Examiner found that raids across the state left farms understaffed, hurting production without leading to a surge in local hiring. Farmers continue to lobby Congress to expand visa programs to cover dairy labor, but similar efforts have failed for years.
In the meantime, both employers and workers live with uncertainty. Wisconsin’s dairy industry produces more than a quarter of the nation’s cheese, an achievement that depends on the labor of immigrants who remain legally vulnerable. As deportations rise and policy debates stall, the state’s dairy economy stands on the shoulders of people who power its barns but lack the protections that would allow them to live and work openly.
A version of this story was first published on Wisconsin Latino News.
Angeles Ponpa is a multimedia journalist from Illinois. A graduate student at Northwestern Medill, specializing in Politics, Policy, and Foreign Affairs, Ponpa is a former Fulcrum intern.
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The 50: Wyoming
How Ranchers and Grassroots Organizers Are Shaping Democracy in Wyoming
Nov 10, 2025
The 50 is a four-year multimedia initiative led by The Fulcrum, traveling to communities in every state to uncover what motivated Americans to vote in the 2024 presidential election. Through in-depth storytelling, the project examines how the Donald Trump administration is responding to those hopes and concerns—and highlights civic-focused organizations that inform, educate, and empower the public to take action.
Cheyenne, Wyoming—proudly serving as the state capital—is both a geographic and symbolic gateway to the American frontier, where rugged heritage meets enduring civic pride.
Founded in 1867 amid the westward expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad, the city earned its nickname—“Magic City of the Plains”—for its rapid rise as a center of cattle, commerce, and rail. Its legacy as a crossroads of movement and identity continues to shape its civic character today.
In the 2024 presidential election, Cheyenne—anchored in Laramie County—voted decisively Republican. Reflecting Wyoming’s distinction as the most GOP-leaning state in the nation, Donald Trump secured a resounding statewide victory with over 71% of the vote—the highest percentage ever received by a presidential nominee in Wyoming’s history.
In the windswept capital, two seemingly disparate organizations—the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) and the Wyoming Independent Citizens Coalition (WICC)—are redefining what civic engagement looks like in the American West. Though their missions differ in scope and style, both groups are deeply rooted in Wyoming’s democratic fabric, championing participation, advocacy, and community resilience.
- YouTube youtu.be
Ranching Roots, Political Reach
Founded in 1872, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association has long been a cornerstone of the state’s political and cultural identity. Formed initially to standardize cattle branding and protect ranching interests, WSGA quickly evolved into a powerful political force. In fact, historians have dubbed it the “de facto territorial government” during Wyoming’s early statehood.
Today, WSGA continues to wield influence—not through backroom deals, but through robust civic participation. The association regularly hosts legislative receptions, such as its annual event during the Wyoming Legislature’s General Session, where ranchers meet directly with lawmakers to discuss land use, water rights, and regulatory policy. These gatherings are more than symbolic; they are forums where rural voices shape state policy.
"Things have changed over time, but we're still, I believe, relatively influential in the state," said Jim Magagna, EVP, Wyoming Stock Growers Association. "At one time, ranching, agriculture was the number one revenue producer in the state of Wyoming. Today we're number three. But, we're the foundation or the building block upon which the others exist. And recreation, tourism are successful because ranching has maintained the wide open spaces."
WSGA also invests in the next generation of civic leaders through scholarships and youth programs, reinforcing a culture of stewardship and democratic responsibility. Their quarterly publication, CowCountry, reaches over 1,200 readers statewide and offers updates on legislation, land conservation, and civic opportunities.
Grassroots Power and Public Art
The Wyoming Independent Citizens Coalition is building civic power from the ground up. Founded in 2021, WICC is a Cheyenne-based nonprofit that empowers underserved communities through advocacy, education, and creative expression.
“We don’t just talk change—we create space for it,” reads WICC’s mission statement. That space includes everything from voter registration drives to public murals that celebrate identity and resilience. Their work is especially vital in a state where rural isolation and political polarization can dampen participation.
The state’s small population presents an ongoing challenge to ensuring meaningful representation of marginalized communities. Through initiatives like Capitol Collaboration Day, WICC equips underserved communities with tools for advocacy, education, and civic participation.
"We bring Latinos and Native Americans. We bring them to the capital. They listen to the sessions. We get a couple of legislators to talk to them," explains Carla Gregorio, President of the Wyoming Independent Citizens Coalition. "We want people to start seeing us in the capital. We want those young people to start seeing they can make a difference."
WICC reaches audiences often overlooked by traditional political outreach. Their efforts echo Wyoming’s legacy as the first state to grant women the right to vote—a history WICC proudly invokes in its programming.
Bridging the Divide
While WSGA and WICC may occupy different ends of the civic spectrum—ranchers advocating for land rights and grassroots organizers mobilizing marginalized voices—they share a commitment to local democracy. Both groups understand that civic engagement isn’t confined to the ballot box; it’s cultivated in town halls, on ranches, and in neighborhood parks.
As Wyoming continues to navigate questions of identity, equity, and resilience, these organizations offer a nuanced portrait of civic life—one that transcends partisanship and embraces participation.
Other Episodes To Watch:
Advancing Voting Rights and Civic Engagement in Nebraska
From Enforcement to Empowerment: Milwaukee’s Public Safety Reimagined
Connecticut: Democracy, Innovation, and Economic Resilience
Empowering Citizens in Illinois: How Community Television Strengthens Democratic Voices
Community Policing in New Jersey Strengthens Trust With the Public
Improving Infrastructure In Washington To Benefit Both People and Nature
Concern Over Education and Family Services in Rhode Island
In Swing-State Pennsylvania, a Latino-Majority City Looks Back at the 2024 Election
Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum. He is also the publisher of the Latino News Network.
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As Hurricane Melissa breaks records, scientists warn Earth’s life-support systems are failing—while U.S. leaders censor climate data and delay real action.
Getty Images, Pramote Polyamate
The Time for Comfort Is Over; Climate Change Won’t Wait Till We’re Ready
Nov 10, 2025
As Hurricane Melissa cements itself as the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic basin—fueled by unseasonably warm ocean temperatures 2.5 °F above average—we must grapple with what this means for our future.
In a recent report, scientists found that seven of the nine planetary boundaries essential for sustaining life on Earth are in decline, with ocean acidification newly entering the list of concerns. As we all learned in elementary school, everything requires balance. Yet we are rapidly approaching tipping points that our communities and our lifestyles are ill-prepared to handle.
With major events coming at what feels like once an hour, few of us understandably have the time to truly digest what is happening. As a result, critical information that should be making global headlines slips past unnoticed. In the U.S., this is especially true when it relates to climate, as the Energy Department has reportedly banned the term “climate change” from official communications, and the national parks have reportedly begun to be stripped of any information regarding climate change. It is clear, the government is trying to sanitize the alarming nature of the crisis, no pun intended.
This past September, New York City hosted Climate Week, coinciding with the UN General Assembly. Amid the speeches, panels, and “action now” slogans, thousands gathered in a twofold protest: demanding stronger climate action and denouncing the situation in the Gaza Strip. At first glance, these issues may seem unrelated. But consider this: the war industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, with global militaries responsible for an estimated 5.5% of carbon emissions as of 2022. Now imagine what that figure looks like after two years of relentless bombing and endless military escalation. Human suffering and pollution are intrinsically tied. Meanwhile, at the GA, President Trump again dismissed climate change as a “con job,” while a couple of blocks down the road, executives and influencers talked about “making action cool” or “making it easy.” What we need is not another slogan. What we need is a shift in mentality.
The future will be uncomfortable. The only question is whether that discomfort comes on our terms or whether it is forced upon us. There is no “magic solution” left. We do not have the luxury of twiddling our thumbs. Politicians, billionaires, and stockholders need to redirect their wealth and power toward what matters. We must push them to do so, or we will keep experiencing ever more frequent and devastating climate events. As of August, the U.S. has seen 99 federally declared disasters, surpassing last year’s total of 90, with marginalized communities facing the brunt of the impact. Just last week, a catastrophic typhoon tore through the Kwigilingok community in Alaska, a primarily Yup’ik area, leaving at least one dead and over 1,000 people displaced. As a result of this, $25 million has been delegated to be used for recovery expenses.
This is not abstract. You, as a consumer, must recognize that your current comfort comes at a cost to someone, somewhere, right now, and to you in the future. The clothes you buy will end up in a landfill. The gadget TikTok convinced you to “run, not walk” to purchase will likely remain as waste long after your grandchildren are born. The data centers guzzling water to keep your favorite apps running are contributing to higher energy bills and polluted water supplies.
Our culture of convenience is feeding a crisis that cannot be solved with hashtags or quick fixes. The time for polite optimism is over. The time for discomfort and real change is now.
Midterm elections are coming next year. Read up on who is on the ballot and give your vote to people who understand the scale of the action we need. Remember, they are supposed to work for and represent you, not the lobbyists that fill their pockets. Yes, the current administration is set on erasing (and even worsening) the environmental crisis, but we need to stay alert and make their jobs harder. Organize. Become part of your community. Buy your holiday gifts secondhand. Try a no-buy month. Get uncomfortable, and make them uncomfortable. Because we do not have time to waste.
Natalia Arcos Cano is an Environmental Scientist and Public Voices fellow of The OpEd Project with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice and the Every Page Foundation.
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