Why Language Access Services Are Being Cut—and Why It Matters

Be Moore Interpreting
May 29
3 min read

If you’ve never had to rely on an interpreter to see a doctor, apply for services, or speak with your child’s school, it might be hard to imagine what it feels like when those services are no longer available. But for millions of people across the U.S., that’s quickly becoming a reality.

And for me, it’s personal.

Picture of Shirley X Moore and her mother, Anita Lorenzo at the Puerto Rican Professional Association of RI"s Parandon Navideño (2019)

My family is originally from Puerto Rico. We spent a year in Boston, where I had access to bilingual education. Then in 1988, we moved to Rhode Island—and everything changed. I was entering the second grade, speaking more Spanglish than either Spanish or English, and was suddenly thrown into an all-English classroom.

I still remember the day I couldn’t ask to use the bathroom. The principal had announced over the PA system that no one should be in the halls. At least that’s what I understood. I didn’t know how to say it was an emergency, and I didn’t realize that emergencies were the exception. There was no interpreter, no support—just confusion and silence. My mom, here with four young children and no English, had no one to help her navigate anything. So I went with her everywhere: to the doctor, to school, to translate legal documents—at just 7 years old.

That’s when I became an interpreter. Not by training, but by necessity.

I didn’t get much of a childhood, because I was too busy navigating adult spaces. And now, as federal agencies quietly reduce language access services, I fear today’s bilingual children are being positioned to carry the same weight I once did.

So, what’s happening to language access?

Some recent federal policy changes have allowed agencies more discretion over how they provide language access. That’s translated into fewer translated materials, canceled interpreter contracts, and significantly reduced support for non-English speakers in healthcare, legal, and educational settings.

These changes aren’t just bureaucratic—they’re deeply human. When a parent can’t advocate for their child in school, that child falls through the cracks. When someone doesn’t understand their medical diagnosis, their health is at risk. And when kids are pulled into the role of interpreter, their childhood becomes secondary to survival.

Why should organizations care?

Because if your mission touches people—especially immigrants, refugees, or working-class families—this matters to your work. Community health centers, nonprofit organizations, schools, and city departments are now being left to fill the gap.

At Be Moore Interpreting, we see what’s happening—and we’re responding with clarity, compassion, and commitment.

Colorful flowers growing through blue concrete cracks.

Here’s how we can help:

Interpretation and Translation Services High-quality, culturally responsive support in over a dozen languages. Our interpreters don’t just translate—they build trust and connection.
Medical Interpreter Training We train bilingual individuals through our nationally recognized Bridging the Gap program, helping them serve ethically and effectively in clinical spaces. It’s part of our long-term strategy to build a community pipeline of well-trained professionals.
Mission-Aligned Partnership We specialize in working with schools, nonprofits, and community-based organizations that are navigating these same pressures. We understand the balance between budget and impact—and we’re here to support you with both.