Texas office puts ‘English Only’ mandate in place, employee says

ERATH COUNTY, Texas — A Texas native who takes satisfaction in being bilingual is talking out about an elected official attempting to silence her Spanish. She mentioned it occurred at her place of employment the place she has labored for greater than a yr. 

“This is 2023,” mentioned Veronica Cajamarca. “Things like this should not be happening.”

Cajamarca considers being bilingual a ability set for touchdown good-paying jobs. But she says a current request by her boss on the Erath County Courthouse has her again on the job market. 

She and her household have relied on their two incomes, so issues are actually getting tight financially for them now. Cajamarca shared what occurred when her boss known as her into her office on Feb. 7, 2023. 

“Jennifer Carey, who is the tax assessor for Erath County called me to her office and said, ‘Hey, I need you to sign something,'” Cajamarca mentioned. 

Cajamarca mentioned this letter mentioned, “in order to facilitate an efficient and harmonious work environment all employees shall speak only the English language in limited circumstances.”

“I started looking at it and instantly my face started getting hot with anger, and frustration, like somebody had just slapped me in the face,” mentioned Cajamarca

Cajamarca defined that she and one other employee on the tax assessor’s office served as interpreters for Spanish-speaking residents. 

She discovered the English solely rule got here after complaints from different coworkers. Cajamarca shared that she skilled every kind of feelings about being informed she can be restricted on when she might communicate Spanish, particularly since she has even served as an interpreter for her boss. 

The English solely mandate raised numerous questions for Cajamarca, together with the way forward for her employee for the reason that similar letter indicated {that a} violation might consequence in termination. 

“Then, I said ‘well what happens if I don’t sign it?’ She said ‘I don’t know,'” mentioned Cajamarca.

Instead of signing the English solely letter, Cajamarca turned in a resignation letter. Cajamarca shared that she didn’t suppose anybody would give a second thought of what was taking place to her.  

Her coworker who is also bilingual remains to be employed on the Tax Assessor’s Office, based on Cajamarca. Eventually, Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee discovered about it and he apologized to Cajamarca. He even met together with her in individual to guarantee her that he didn’t help such motion. 

“It should not be him the one who is apologizing,” mentioned Cajamarca.

Judge Huckabee despatched WFAA a written assertion in each English and Spanish, stating “This is not a policy that has ever been considered nor will ever be implemented at a County level, and I would strongly advise that no individual office issue such a policy. Another part of his statement reads, I have and will continue to work daily to do what I can to make Erath County offices a place where everyone feels comfortable and supported.”

Now, Cajamarca is contemplating authorized motion and affords recommendation to others in her state of affairs, though she by no means deliberate on what occurred to her truly turning into public. 

But after somebody posted information on social media in regards to the English solely letter, she got here ahead to clarify what occurred and encourage others.