The Trump administration has quietly reinstated the term “alien” in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual, rolling back language changes made under President Biden that replaced the term with “noncitizen.” The move marks a return to legal terminology long embedded in U.S. immigration law but increasingly criticized as outdated and dehumanizing.
USCIS quietly announced the language update on its website
A Long History in U.S. Immigration Law
The term “alien” has been a fixture of American immigration policy for centuries. It dates back to the nation’s earliest laws, including the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which allowed the president to deport noncitizens deemed a threat to national security. Over the years, the word became deeply ingrained in legal statutes, used to distinguish noncitizens from U.S. nationals in everything from visa regulations to deportation proceedings.
By the 20th century, “alien” was standard in federal immigration policy, though its connotations shifted with the political climate. During World War II, the term was invoked under the Alien Enemies Act to justify the detention and deportation of individuals from nations at war with the U.S., a policy that led to the internment of thousands of Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants.
In more recent decades, critics have argued that “alien” carries negative and even dehumanizing undertones, reinforcing the idea of immigrants as outsiders rather than members of society.
Biden’s Language Shift and the Return to “Alien”
In 2021, the Biden administration sought to update the language of U.S. immigration policy, replacing “alien” with “noncitizen” in official USCIS guidance. The change was intended to reflect a more neutral and inclusive approach to immigration.
Now, the Trump administration has reversed the previous policy change, reinstating the term “alien” in the agency’s official policy manual. While largely symbolic, the change aligns with Trump’s focus on immigration enforcement and reflects deeper divides over immigration policy and rhetoric.
The Broader Debate Over Immigration Terminology
Legal language shapes not only policy but public perception. Supporters of the term “alien” argue that it remains the most precise and legally accurate descriptor, reflecting its long-standing use in federal law. Opponents, however, say it fuels negative stereotypes and undermines efforts to humanize immigration policy.