ICE Restores Use of ‘Alien’ in Immigration Terminology

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced a significant policy shift, resuming the use of the term “alien” in place of “noncitizen” in all official communications. According to a memo from ICE Director Caleb Vitello, the agency will also replace “noncitizenship” with the term “alienage,” marking a decisive break from the Biden administration’s language reforms.

The policy is part of a broader effort under President Donald Trump’s leadership to restore clarity and focus to immigration enforcement. Trump’s administration has prioritized a return to legally precise terminology, which had been abandoned in favor of “more inclusive” language during Biden’s presidency.

Under the Biden administration, terms like “alien” were replaced with “noncitizen,” and even words such as “assimilation” were swapped for “civic integration.” Reports from the RAND Corporation went further, advising against using terms like “illegal alien,” “looter,” “rioter,” or “trespasser,” arguing they were “racially charged.” This approach, critics argue, muddied the focus on enforcement and accountability in immigration policy.

The ICE memo aligns with a series of immigration-focused executive orders signed by Trump on his first day back in office. These orders included:

• Declaring a national emergency at the southern border.

• Ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens.

• Suspending refugee resettlement programs.

• Designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) praised the administration’s decisive actions. “Biden surrendered our border to chaos but President Trump is wasting no time taking it back,” he said. Pfluger also lauded efforts to eliminate policies like catch-and-release, which he described as a “scam.”

“These executive orders are exactly what the American people demanded when they voted for law and order,” Pfluger added. “The Republican Study Committee will work tirelessly alongside President Trump to seal our border, defend our communities, and make America safe again.”

The return to using terms like “alien” underscores a broader commitment to enforcing immigration laws with precision and fairness. Critics of the Biden-era language reforms argue that substituting words to avoid offense diluted the legal clarity necessary for effective immigration policy.

With ICE now refocusing its language and policies, the administration signals its intention to prioritize the rule of law and restore order to America’s immigration system.

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