A small American town 2,500 miles away from the Mexican border has designated English as its official language.
Jackson is in New York state and its population of 1,700 is mostly white with just a handful of Spanish-speaking farm workers.
But inhabitants were determined to protect theirEnglish-speaking heritage after condemning the federal government fornot acting.
The legislation means that all official business in the town,which has no shops, school or church, must be conducted in English.
Council member Roger Meyer, who proposed the law, said: ‘Thefederal government has shirked its duty by not passing English as theofficial language of the United States.
‘I felt I would start a grass-roots movement to try to get it passed from the bottom up.’
One neighbouring town, Argyle, has passed a similar resolution while another, Easton, will debate the issue next month.
Supporters claim the moves highlight support for bolder actionto curb immigration and preserve the culture which many fear is underthreat in some states.
Meanwhileheated debate is being waged over Arizona’s controversial decision togrant police new laws to quiz people they suspect of being in thecountry illegally.
But supporters claim it underlines theundercurrent of support for bolder action to curb immigration andpreserve the language and culture that many fear are under threat inparts of the US.