ICE switches back to using ‘aliens’ rather than ‘immigrants’
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Immigrant rights groups consider the term derogatory and dehumanizing. ICE officials are directing employees to use the term “alien” instead of “immigrant,” a new memo distributed across the enforcement agency details. Immigrant rights groups consider the term derogatory and dehumanizing because of the way they’ve been used by conservative pundits and politicians.
The term will be used in all “internal and external communications,” the Axios reported. The Independent has asked ICE for comment. The directive made by the new Acting ICE director, Caleb Vitello, was enacted Tuesday and sent to agency leaders. Previously, the agency had chosen to use the term “noncitizen” after a memo was distributed in 2021 changing the official terminology from “alien.” Additionally, the word “noncitizenship” will be changed to “alienage.”.
The action is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown. He vowed to deport 11 million migrants currently in the US shortly after taking office. So far, he’s signed executive orders to end birthright citizenship, declare a national emergency at the border, halt refugee resettlement admissions and reestablish his Remain in Mexico policy.
On Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the agency arrested 308 migrants a day after Trump was sworn into office. That figure, however, is similar to Former President Biden’s daily average. Some of the migrants detained had a final order of removal. Some of those detained from jails had been arrested for major crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and sexual assault involving minors. No minors were arrested, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Independent.
