Trump Justice Department: Use ‘illegal aliens,’ not ‘undocumented’

Terminology can be important in discussing immigration.  And the use of the incendiary term “illegal aliens” has been much criticized.  Many newspapers, including the New York Times, no longer use the term.

Through an agency-wide email, the Justice Department has instructed U.S. attorneys to refer to someone in the U.S. without authorization as an “illegal alien” instead of an “undocumented immigrant.” According to CNN, the DOJ cites the U.S. code to make its case: “The word ‘undocumented’ is not based in U.S. code and should not be used to describe someone’s illegal presence in the country.”

For commentary on the Justice Department directive on Colorlines, click here.

KJ