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2.0

Trump administration resumes using the words "alien" and "illegal alien" to describe noncitizens and migrants

  1. Original Date Announced

    January 20, 2025

    During the Biden administration, the White House and multiple departments and agencies adopted policies and practices to use terms like "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen" in place of terms like "alien" and "illegal alien."

    Although there does not appear to be one central directive from the Trump administration instructing federal officials to abandon this change, the White House and many departments and agencies have begun to do so, including through the rescission of Biden-era policies.

    Trump 2.0 [ID # 1502]

    CBP One Mobile Application Website Update EO: "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" 2025.01.21 Reporting on New Directions to CBP 2025.01.21 ICE Terminology Memo EOIR PM 25-07: Terminology
  2. Effective Date

    January 20, 2025
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • March 31, 2025

      2025.03.31 ICE - Memo on Updated Terminology for Communications Materials and Internal and External Communications

      Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons issued an updated terminology memorandum to supplement ICE's January 21, 2025 memo. In addition to the terminology changes from the previous memo, the updated memorandum directs ICE officials to use the term “illegal alien” instead of “undocumented alien"; “special interest alien” instead of “special interest undocumented individual"; “foreign student” instead of “international student"; and “asylum applicant” instead of “asylum seeker.”

      View Document

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice
Subject Matter:
Agencies Affected: DHS CBP EOIR ICE

Associated or Derivative Policies

Pre Trump-Era Policies

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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com