Asian American Federation Launches Nation’s First Worker Cooperative for Asian Language Interpreters

New initiative expands language access amid federal rollback of interpretation and translation services

View the Press Conference Here and Images Here 

New York, N.Y. –– Today, the Asian American Federation (AAF) announced the launch of United in Speech Co-op NY, a first-of-its-kind worker cooperative for pan-Asian language interpreters. The initiative was created to meet the urgent need for accessible and high-quality translation and interpretation services for Asian New Yorkers with limited English proficiency (LEP).

At launch, the cooperative will serve communities speaking Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean with plans to expand to additional languages as the program grows. 

The cooperative is launching at a critical moment, as the federal government has moved to dismantle longstanding language access protections. In the last year, the president has rescinded federal language access requirements, promoted English-only policies, and encouraged agencies to cut what it has deemed “non-essential” translation and interpretation services.

“This groundbreaking language cooperative launches at a time when language access is under direct attack,” said Catherine Chen, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian American Federation. “Asian New Yorkers depend on multilingual services to navigate healthcare, public benefits, the legal system, and emergency situations. As federal protections are stripped away, community-based solutions like this worker co-op are essential to ensuring our communities are not left behind.”

These rollbacks hit New York City particularly hard, where 43% of Asian residents have limited English proficiency. Rates are even higher among Chinese (58%) and Bengali (53%) communities, leaving thousands at risk of being unable to navigate essential services.

Building Bridges through the Cooperative Model

United in Speech Co-op NY is a worker-owned entity that trains and empowers pan-Asian language interpreters to provide professional services while building their own economic equity. Key features of the program include:

• Critical Specialization: The initial cohort of nine interpreters is specializing in legal and medical interpretation, the two highest-stakes areas for LEP individuals. As of January 2026, members have completed legal training and have transitioned to medical certification.
• Economic Empowerment: Members receive a $25 per hour stipend during their 40-hour training and practicum. Beyond language skills, they are trained in cooperative governance and collective business planning, creating a pathway to long-term economic stability.
• Community-Led Response: By training community members to serve their own neighborhoods, AAF is transforming existing linguistic strengths into professional assets.

“At AAF, we recognize both the urgency of the moment and the strengths that already exist within our communities,” Chen added. “By focusing first on legal and medical interpretation, this cooperative is meeting the most immediate needs of Asian New Yorkers while building long-term economic opportunity for interpreters themselves.”

“The United in Speech Co-op gives immigrant New Yorkers the power to navigate healthcare and legal systems on their own terms, allowing them to take control of their own lives,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Through the Asian American Federation’s workforce development program, the next generation of professional interpreters will provide the necessary culturally responsive services that immigrant New Yorkers need, and reaffirm that language access is a civil right, not a luxury.”

“Language equity is crucial for ensuring access to the range of services and opportunities we have citywide. For too long, AAPI New Yorkers have been left without the translation services they need, and stuck navigating complex systems in the dark. I’m deeply proud of the investments we as the NYC Council have made in language accessibility—and the new jobs we have created for interpreters citywide. I extend my gratitude to the Asian American Federation for working to make this program a reality. These translation services will open doors for New Yorkers, at a time when that is more important than ever,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés.

“We carry a moral responsibility to make sure services are accessible for the diverse communities across New York City,” said Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Finance. “As the AAPI community continues to grow in New York City, I appreciate the efforts of the Asian American Federation in establishing the first worker cooperative of pan-Asian interpreters to assist the immigrant communities in our city. With backing from organizations like AAF, our city keeps working to make certain that immigrant New Yorkers obtain vital services that help them live better lives.”

“The Asian American Federation cooperative training process has shown me how essential it is for immigrant communities to have interpreters who understand both language and lived experience,” said Sumayah Tallouzi, Arabic interpreter. “It has helped me strengthen my skills while connecting with other interpreters who care deeply about language justice. The program brought together language workers who share a commitment to justice and who understand the challenges immigrants face when navigating critical services. I was drawn to this project because it invests in our skills, our leadership, and our ability to make language access a reality for the communities we serve. I joined this initiative because it creates real opportunities for immigrant language workers and helps ensure that our communities can access services without fear or barriers. This project appealed to me because it creates a pathway for trained, community‑rooted interpreters to ensure that no one is denied services or dignity because of a language barrier.”

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to serve the community as a trilingual interpreter of Cantonese and Mandarin,” said Rachael Ye, Cantonese and Mandarin interpreter. “Thanks to AAF for providing professional training in the past 8 months, I am equipped to be a professional interpreter. I also am excited to work with my peers in this co-op, who are specialized in different Asian languages. United in Speech will bring unity to the people who speak different languages.”

“New York City is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. More than 700 languages are spoken across our five boroughs, and more than 1.8 million New Yorkers have limited English proficiency,” said the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Faiza N. Ali. “This cooperative recognizes the linguistic expertise that already exists in our communities—and builds from it. MOIA looks forward to continuing language access work in partnership with the Asian American Federation.”

“Adhikaar joined the language cooperative because language justice is central to our mission,” said Mamta Nyangmi, Interim Executive Director of Adhikaar. “Every day, Nepali-speaking workers call us seeking in-language, culturally competent support. By building language access, we’re not only opening doors to programs like United in Speech Co-op, we are also creating a pathway for workers to transform language skills into entrepreneurship, ownership, and collective economic power.”

“Language access is not just a service—it is a matter of dignity, equity, and equal opportunity,” said Wai Yee Chan, President and CEO of Homecrest Community Services. “At Homecrest, we see every day how language barriers prevent immigrant families and older adults from accessing essential services. The launch of United in Speech Co-op NY strengthens language access across our city while creating meaningful economic opportunities for immigrant community members to become professional interpreters. When people can communicate in their own language, they are better able to participate in healthcare, education, and civic life. We are proud to partner with the Asian American Federation to help connect community members to this initiative and support them through the training process.”

“The Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) serves AAPI immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence, many of whom face language barriers, immigration concerns, and cultural stigma when seeking support,” said Jeehae Fischer, Executive Director at the Korean American Family Service Center. “In New York City, nearly one in two Asian Americans has limited English proficiency, yet language access continues to be a barrier to essential services. Too often, AAPI women and families fall through the cracks of systems that were not designed with their needs in mind. That is why KAFSC is proud to support the language access cooperative program and the launch of United in Speech Co-op NY. Investing in community interpreters ensures that immigrant New Yorkers can access critical services, advocate for themselves, and have their voices heard.”

The full press conference, which is available to watch HERE, addressed the importance of accessible and high-quality interpretation services for Asian New Yorkers with limited English proficiency.

To access the language service request form, please visit: bit.ly/United-in-Speech-Request