The White House will no longer use the term “illegal alien” to describe an undocumented person living in the United States, according to Vice President Joe Biden. The president has made significant changes from what he inherited from his predecessor, Biden’s administration. However, the term “illegal alien” will no longer be used by the White House to label an undocumented individual residing in the United States. Because it would humanize those seeking refuge and a better life in the United States, Biden will advocate for using the word “noncitizen” rather than “alien.”
During the Trump administration, “alien” was a popular term because it represented an anti-immigration agenda. The administration was able to differentiate these people’s problems from the American experience by referring to undocumented people as “aliens.” However, the Trump administration is not the first to use the phrase “alien” when referring to non-citizens. The word had been used in U.S. immigration law and has appeared in court rulings regarding non-citizens for years. This will no longer be the case.
The terms “alien,” “illegal alien,” and “undocumented alien” will be phased out by the Biden administration, according to a White House memo obtained by Axios and BuzzFeed News on February 16, 2021. In addition to these words, which dehumanize those involved, the Biden administration wants the government to use the phrases “undocumented noncitizen” or “undocumented individual.”
The federal government has used the phrase “illegal alien” since the 1790s. Now, to advance a left-wing agenda, the Biden administration is proposing to change how the United States and its government speak about non-citizens.
According to the directive, it was decided to use “more inclusive language in the agency’s outreach efforts, internal documents, and overall communication with stakeholders, partners, and the general public.”
The phrase “naturalized citizen” was replaced with the term “citizen” in a June 14, 1984 document from the Department of State. The Department of State followed up this change by suggesting that other politically correct phrases be used instead of the word “assimilation,” including “integration or civic integration.” The term “alien” was also removed from United States immigration law, according to this memo.
“This change is designed to encourage more inclusive language in the agency’s outreach efforts, internal documents, and in overall communication with stakeholders, partners, and the general public.” according to a USCIS spokesperson. Liberals and progressives are celebrating the modest adjustments.
U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-Texas, stated, “The term ‘alien’ is used as a dehumanizing slur and should be removed from the language in our statutes. This change might seem symbolic, but it’s an important step to restore humanity after years of demonization.”
For years, Castro has been working to change the phrase “alien” from the law. He stated in 2015: “When someone says aliens, we think of Martians or space aliens, not human beings. Words matter, particularly in the context of an issue as contentious as immigration.”
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus then tweeted in 2019: “‘Illegal alien’ is an outdated term that is now used as a xenophobic slur.” They wrote: “Reminder: “Illegal alien” is an outdated term that is now used as a xenophobic slur… Immigrants are our neighbors & friends. They shouldn’t be referred to with derogatory & racist language, yet @JudiciaryGOP reps insist on using it. #HR6 #DreamAndPromiseNOW #ProtectTheDream.”
What do you think about the shift?
