No that's not what de facto means. However, nice attempt at spining and fabrication on your part. De facto means "in reality" or "for all intents and purposes". Since the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Law REQUIRES that prospective citizens speak and comprehend English, existing federal law establishes English as our official language "for all intents and purposes" (de facto).

I will agree with you in one aspect: James is being deceptive. Title 32, article 6 in the Code of Alabama sets forth the law regarding drivers licenses.

1. Foreign nationals with valid drivers licenses issued in their own country or from countries where no license is required do not have to get an Alabama Drivers License.

2. Foreign nationals who need an Alabama Drivers License are required to present evidence of their immigration status. The length of their stay is documented on the Alabama Drivers License. Because of the proof of immigration status requirement, illegal aliens will not be requesting an Alabama Drivers License anyway. The provision is primarily for those foreign nationals working at foreign owned businesses located in Alabama.

3. Only a handful of drivers license test sites in Alabama offer the test in foreign languages. Alabama law does NOT require that the capability be provided everywhere.

So, the test is being given in English only at most places already. James can claim he kept the promise. If he makes the test English only for all test sites, he will be hurting foreign businesses that mean so much to Alabama's economy. The Legislature will not allow it. So, James is being deceptive.

Doesn't "de facto" mean something is done, but it's not really the law? Sounds jacked up to me that we have official unofficial laws.

…Not to mention. Google has that wonderful translator for free.

I can’t imagine that these tests are anything other than database files on a mainframe. How much could it really cost to maintain a database with 12 files?