English would be declared the U.S. “national language,” according to an amendment the Senate recently approved, a move supporters say would unite this country and opponents call divisive and an attack on Latinos, particularly Spanish-speaking undocumented immigrants.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization, blasted the May 19 passage of an “English only” amendment led by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK).

“We were deeply disappointed that the Senate approved this mean-spirited, completely unnecessary amendment,” said Janet Murguia, NCLR president and CEO in a statement.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY 16th) also denounced the Republican-led action in the Senate on immigration reform. Serrano has long championed his “English-Plus Resolution,” which recognizes the value of multilingualism, rather than the English-only proposals that seek to make English the “national language” of the United States.

“Giving in to linguistic isolationism does nothing more than further isolate us in this vast multi-cultural world,” Serrano stated. “We should be encouraging proficiency in other languages at the same time as we are offering opportunities to learn English. My bill would increase access to English as a second language classes – a real solution to linguistic barriers rather than meaningless declarations. It would also recognize multilingualism as a national resource.”

The measure, approved 63 to 34, directs the government to “preserve and enhance” English, without changing current laws that require some government documents and services be provided in other languages, including Spanish.

After approving the Inhofe amendment, the Senate passed 58 to 39 a second amendment, declaring English the country’s “common and unifying” language, saying that the “existing rights” under which the government provides bilingual services and assistance would not be diminished.

While the two Democratic senators from New York, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, voted against declaring English the “national language,” they supported the “common and unifying” amendment.

Negotiations with the House would determine which of the two measures remains in a final bill.

Rafael “Tufiñito” Tufiño, an artist from the Lower East Side, said he doesn’t agree or disagree with the English amendments. While many other languages are spoken and are playing an increasingly important role throughout the United States, he said, English is the main language of the U.S. government and this country.

But he questioned the push for the amendments now. “The U.S. government feels threatened by the economic and political growth of Latinos,” he said, adding that there is also a fear of the growing importance of the Spanish language here.

Throughout history, he said, the United States should have helped and should help Latin America grow. “We have a karma with Latin America,” he said.

Because many of Latin America’s poor don’t have the resources, they come to the United States, the “nation of immigrants,” in search of better opportunities and learn English. These undocumented immigrants start out doing low-paying jobs many U.S. citizens won’t do because they are “a bridge to doing something else,” he said. “The American government has been marginalizing Latin America for too long.”

Carlos Morel of the Bronx, a Dominican who became a U.S. citizen recently, said, “English is the official language of this country. Immigrants know that when they are coming to (this) country.”

While Morel said he doesn’t have a problem with declaring English the “national language,” he said that it should not have an impact on health, education and communication services offered to non-English speakers now or in the future.

“One thing doesn’t have to do with the other,” said Morel, a graphic designer. “There must always be programs that are inclusive of the new immigrants. Learning another language is not easy.”

Current law requires immigrants to learn English to be eligible for U.S. citizenship, and Morel said he learned enough English to become a citizen. He probably knows more about the United States than many citizens born here but he still struggles.

“I’m still learning the language,” he said, adding that he has been in this country for 10 years now.