US immigration agencies ordered the use of the terms “alien” and “assimilation” to be discontinued

by

A few memos released Monday by Tae Johnson and Troy Miller, the acting heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, outlined the updated language for all external and internal communications to be consistent with the Biden’s guidelines. administration related to immigration terminology.

The terms “foreigner” will be replaced by “non-citizen” or “migrant”, “illegal alien” by “non-citizen undocumented” or “undocumented” and “assimilation” will change to “integration”, according to the Commission. memos.

“We uphold the laws of our nation while preserving the dignity of every individual with whom we interact. The words we use are important and will serve to further impart that dignity to those under our care,” states the memo. Miller.

Press releases from the two agencies previously referred to undocumented immigrants as “aliens”.

CNN has contacted ICE for comment. The Washington Post first reported on the change.
The formal terminology change comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s harsh immigration policies. The term ‘alien’ was often used by President Donald Trump in speeches when he warned of what he saw as the dangers of uncontrolled illegal immigration.
Immigrant rights advocates have long labeled the term “ illegal alien ” an inhumane libel, and it became even more of a lightning rod during the Trump era – with some top federal officials encouraging its use and several states and local governments taking steps to prohibit it.

Officials have pointed to the term’s prevalence in U.S. laws in the past to defend their word choices.

President Joe Biden has tried to take deliberate steps to recognize America as “a nation of immigrants,” including in his proposed immigration overhaul, his administration said.

The Biden government continues to grapple with the influx of migrants at the southern border. The number of unaccompanied minor children in the custody of US Customs and Border Guards, an agency not intended to care for children for long periods of time, reached dramatic highs during the month of March.

In a notable shift over the weekend, Biden described the influx of migrant children at the southern border as a ‘crisis’ – a term that top officials have declined but call the situation a ‘challenge’. The White House tried on Monday to reverse the president’s comments, claiming that Biden was referring to conditions in the Northern Triangle countries where migrants come from and not to the increase in migrant children in US custody.

The Biden government is not alone in drawing attention to the language used to characterize immigration. Former President George W. Bush on Sunday called on Congress to tone down the “harsh rhetoric” on immigration, adding that he hopes it will “set a more respectful tone” for immigrants and lead to reforms.

“I want to say to Congress, please put aside all harsh rhetoric about immigration, please put aside to score political points on both sides. I hope I can help set a tone that is more respectful of the immigrant, which may lead to reform the system, ”Bush told Norah O’Donnell on“ CBS Sunday Morning. ”

This story was updated on Monday with additional details.

CNN’s Betsy Klein, Catherine E. Shoichet, Nicky Robertson and Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.

Source