Biden administration urges DHS officials to stop using ‘illegal alien’ in favor of ‘inclusive’ language

The Biden administration is urging officials at the Department of Homeland Security to stop using phrases like “illegal alien” in favor of what it says are more “inclusive” terms -- part of a broader effort by the administration to change language use on immigration.

Axios first reported that the Feb. 12 memo urges officials to stop referring to people as "alien," in favor of "noncitizen." It also tells officials to refer to "undocumented individual" or "undocumented noncitizen" rather than "illegal alien." It also recommends "integration" rather than "assimilation."  "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," USCIS spokesman Joe Sowers said in a statement. "The guidance does not affect legal, policy or other operational documents, including forms, where using terms (such as applicant, petitioner, etc.) as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act would be the most appropriate."