Biden bill would remove 'alien' from US immigration laws
By: Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN 1 hr ago (MSN)
Ahhhh let the touchy feely begin........................FFS
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Biden bill would remove 'alien' from US immigration laws
It's just one small part of the sweeping immigration overhaul President Biden is pushing.
But the symbolic significance is huge.
Biden's proposed bill, if passed, would remove the word "alien" from US immigration laws, replacing it with the term "noncitizen."
It's a deliberate step intended to recognize America as "a nation of immigrants," according to a summary of the bill released by the new administration.
The term "illegal alien," long decried as a dehumanizing slur by immigrant rights advocates, became even more of a lightning rod during the Trump era -- with some top federal officials encouraging its use and several states and local governments taking up measures to ban it.
"The language change on the first day of this administration, with Kamala Harris the daughter of immigrants, to me it's not just symbolic...it's foundational," says Jose Antonio Vargas, an undocumented immigrant whose organization, Define American, pushes for more accurate portrayals of immigrants.
"How we describe people really sticks. It affects how we treat them," he says. "How we talk about immigrants shapes the policies. It frames what are the issues really at stake here. It acknowledges that we're talking about human beings and families."
What the laws say now
US code currently defines "alien" as "any person not a citizen or national of the United States."
Officials in the past have pointed to the term's prevalence in US laws to defend their word choices.
In 2018, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions instructed prosecutors to refer to someone who's illegally in the United States as "an illegal alien," citing the US code in an agency-wide email.
The term "alien" was often invoked by President Trump in speeches as he warned of what he saw as the dangers of unchecked illegal immigration.
Speaking at the Mexico border last week in one of his final addresses as president, Trump used the term at least five times.
"We were in the Trump administration the perennial boogeyman," Vargas said. "Whenever Trump was in trouble, he started talking about the 'illegals' and talking about the border."
But not everyone in the Trump administration was a fan of the language.
In an interview with the Washington Post published shortly before he resigned as acting secretary of Homeland Security in 2019, Kevin McAleenan told the newspaper he avoided using the term "illegal aliens" and instead described people as "migrants."
"I think the words matter a lot," McAleenan said, according to the Post. "If you alienate half of your audience by your use of terminology, it's going to hamper your ability to ever win an argument."
This isn't the first effort to change such wording
California struck "alien" from the state's labor code in 2015.
New York City removed the term from its charter and administrative code last year.
In guidelines issued in 2019, New York City banned the term "illegal alien" when used "with intent to demean, humiliate or harass a person." Violations, the city warned, could result in fines up to $250,000.
And last year two Colorado lawmakers introduced a bill to replace the term "illegal alien" with "undocumented immigrant." The bill never made it to the state Senate floor for a vote.
Prank callers targeted the term early in the Trump administration
One of the first times the use of the term "alien" drew widespread attention during the Trump administration was in 2017 after officials publicized a hotline for victims of "crimes committed by removable aliens."
Prank callers swiftly flooded the line with reports about space aliens, sharing examples on social media of their comments about Martians and UFOs.
But Vargas says the term and others used to demonize immigrants are no laughing matter.
"Language has power. And I think we saw that in the Trump administration, how it used dehumanizing terms and how it debased language and in turn debased people," Vargas says. "If you call them 'alien,' of course you're going to put them in jail, of course you're going to lock them up, of course you're not going to care that you're separating little kids from their parents."
Vargas says the new administration's effort to use more respectful language gives him hope that some Americans' views on undocumented immigrants could also shift. Changing just one word, he says, could have a far-reaching impact for millions of people.
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What I posted earlier about my thoughts that Mr. Biden was a cross of Mr. Obama and Mr. Carter seems to be coming to fruition........................
What is the complaint against removing the word alien again? I dont get it. Would we forget who was what?
Unnecessary posturing to save some fee fees...........but hey. It's his turn..................
"We were in the Trump administration the perennial boogeyman," Vargas said. "Whenever Trump was in trouble, he started talking about the 'illegals' and talking about the border."
Well, WTF Antonio! When someone enters another country illegally they are illegal aliens! I'm sorry if your feelings are hurt Antonio, don't break the law!
We also need to know who is funding Define American.
If you get to call them 'illegal aliens' , is that how you "win" ?
PC is evil. Let's call things what they are.
we could, [deleted would take exception ...]
Political Correctness: noun - the avoidance of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Wow, yeah, that sounds 'sooooo' evil. Trying to avoid insulting people.
So we should call them undocumented immigrants or noncitizens as that is what they are. They are not really "illegal" persons just because they have committed a misdemeanor offense unless you want to call someone who gets a speeding ticket, also a misdemeanor, "illegal drivers".
Uhhh - using the legal language for someone ILLEGALLY in the U.S. with the title of ALIEN has been in the law books since the 1800's.
So, what you're saying now, along with your six (6) FP posts about Trump today, is that we should no longer abide by established and precedented law - just because an ILLEGAL ALIEN got the Dem's/Liberal news (CNN) to say it ain't so?????
Getouttahere. Live by the rules or go somewhere else to live - pure, sweet and simple.
Oh yeah, you're right. The fella who robbed a bank and didn't get any funds was merely making a UNDOCUMENTED WITHDRAWAL - hence no violation of the law since he didn't take anything, eh?
You're gonna equate a SPEEDING TICKET with ILLEGALLY entering the U.S.????
Being in the U.S. without permission of the U.S. is an ILLEGAL activity and is a Felony, not a misdemeanor.
Whether it’s by crossing the U.S. border with a "coyote" or buying a fake U.S. passport, a foreign national who enters the U.S. illegally can be both convicted of a crime and held responsible for a civil violation under the U.S. immigration laws. Illegal entry also carries consequences for anyone who might later attempt to apply for a green card or other immigration benefit.
The penalties and consequences get progressively more severe if a person enters illegally more than once, or enters illegally after an order of removal (deportation) or after having been convicted of an aggravated felony.
By searching the portion of federal law titled "Aliens and Nationality" , the chapter titled "Immigration and Nationality" defines the word "alien" alone as " any person not a citizen or national of the United States."
Explain how that is "offensive".
What are you talking about? Robbing a bank is a felony, it is illegal. But to the point, do we call bank robbers "illegal robbers"?
They are both misdemeanors, so yes, in legal terms they are a similar offense.
False. The first offense is a misdemeanor according to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which prohibits non-nationals from entering or attempting to enter the United States at any time or place which has not been designated by an immigration officer, and also prohibits non-nationals from eluding inspection by immigration officers.
True.
Sorry DP - entering the U.S. without permission places that person(s) in the category of "Illegal Alien" - by law.
Back a long time ago, Congress passed the Alien Act of 1798, (Act of June 25, 1798, 1 Stat. 570). The Act was part of the Alien and Sedition Laws and authorized the expulsion of any alien the President deemed dangerous. The power of Congress to legislate with respect to the conduct of alien residents is a concomitant of its power to prescribe the terms and conditions on which they may enter the United States, to establish regulations for sending out of the country such aliens as have entered in violation of law, and to commit the enforcement of such conditions and regulations to executive officers.
When an Illegal Alien is apprehended the first time, they "may" receive a Civil fine of $250.00 - $2,000 and "may" serve up to six (6) months in jail. That is a felony.
If an Illegal Alien is apprehended a second or more times, they will be given criminal charges.
1911. 8 U.S.C. 1325 -- UNLAWFUL ENTRY, FAILURE TO DEPART, FLEEING IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINTS, MARRIAGE FRAUD, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE FRAUD
Section 1325 sets forth criminal offenses relating to (1) improper entry into the United States by an alien, (2) entry into marriage for the purpose of evading immigration laws, and (3) establishing a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading immigration laws. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) amended 8 U.S.C. § 1325 to provide that an alien apprehended while entering or attempting to enter the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty.
No, because all robbery is already illegal. You can be an alien without being an illegal alien. People with Green Cards (they're actually green again after years of not being green), e.g., a Lawful Permanent Resident, is still an alien, but an alien with legal status.
The Green Card, by the way, was for a long time more formally called the Alien Registration Receipt Card. About 20 years ago, it became the Permanent Resident Card.
excuse me while i yawn. Folks seem to object to the word "alien" because, every since the dawn of the flying saucer age, which coincides with the use of rocketry, aliens as a word has been connected in the popular imagination with non humans from outer space.
Its hard to understand why immigration opponents insist on the word alien when illegal immigrant conveys the same exact meaning.
maybe the next trump will come along and make it a big issue for you.
Can't disagree with you there. Not the most important thing facing Mr. Biden
Should he change it to illegal immigrant, that would be a horse of a different color. As it is it will be replaced with non-citizen. That term could be used for tourists............too loose
With all of the damage control Biden/Harris have to do, I don't think a word is high on his list of priorities.
Wait and see what exactly?
Oh, I see you changed your post.
Would seem you are wrong as displayed in the article/his intentions.
It is called editing. Sometimes I do corrections to my original thought. I am sure many here do that.
If it turns out I am wrong (I have been before), I do apologize.
You seem very tired today. Are you ok?
Folks seem to object to the word "alien" because, every since the dawn of the flying saucer age, which coincides with the use of rocketry, aliens as a word has been connected in the popular imagination with non humans from outer space.
Oh, is that why...And here I thought it was simply the progressives pandering for the Hispanic vote and doing their best to get people to hate Americans so they could win elections with their atrocious policies. What a relief/s.
Its hard to understand why immigration opponents insist on the word alien when illegal immigrant conveys the same exact meaning.
"Illegal immigrant?" That's a new one. What happened to "Undocumented?"
maybe the next trump will come along and make it a big issue for you.
Maybe someday you'll be able to stop talking about him.
No it doesn't John and we've had this discussion before.
An "immigrant" is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. An "alien" is any person not a citizen or national of the United States." The two definitions are not the same.
Still problems whatever they are called
So... the wording was fine when Obama was in office, but now...
What's changed again? Isn't Obama the child of an immigrant?
Clinton made a HUGE speech about ILLEGAL ALIENS and used the term a lot during the speech. Bush and Obama both used the term in a few of their speeches.
And, yeah, Obama was the child of an immigrant - in fact, the facts are undisputed by Obama. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a U.S. Citizen - however, his father, Barack Obama, Sr., was a Citizen of Kenya.
Thank God. Immigration problem solved. I am sure all the illegal aliens are ecstatic that they will now be illegal non citizens.
Well that will fix everything, won't it.
Why do we continue to bend to the will of ignorant people too uneducated to understand the words that offend them? "Alien" is just a word that has been used for centuries to describe someone from another country or place.
if its just a word why do you need to keep using it ? Another word will do.
Centuries ago aliens did not refer to unhumans from space , now it does. Big deal if they are forced to use another word out of common decency.
Because it's a word with a specific definition. Political activists are the ones pretending it means something else. I won't be gaslighted into changing basic vocabulary.
What other word? Salad? Birthday present? Dessert? Lottery winnings?
How about "Citizen?" Citizen has a meaning. Will we just change that one, too? If you can change alien, you can change citizen. And don't think people won't.
There is nothing indecent about the word "alien." There may be something indecent about the way a person treats aliens, but the word alien is what it is.
You have to be able to distinguish between people so that we know what we're talking about. Every country in the world recognizes the concept of citizenship. It is a designation that usually confers certain rights, privileges, protections, and responsibilities. People who crave this status want to blur the line between being a citizen and not.
The first step is to pretend that aliens are not people who are citizens of some other country and may not have the same rights to be in the country.
If someone sneaks into your house, would you prefer to call them burglars? trespassers? Or would you be content with "non-residents" or "non-owners of the house?" What if they told you they felt insulted and marginalized by the term "Trespasser?" Would you care?
It is still being used correctly there. An alien is a person from another place. It's not a new definition to use it on unhumans from space.
Quit barking John and offer some real conversation/discussion.
Because if you can control words you can control how people think about a thing.
You aren't wrong. The term "alien" is more dehumanizing than "non-citizen: but in context they mean the same thing. It's a specific choice to contrast against the Trump Admin's hard core stance. I'm expecting there to be big personnel changes soon at ICE and Border Patrol along with the change in tone and mission priority.
That is exactly it.
I think it's only dehumanizing if a person is so insecure that they think not being part of a certain group is dehumanizing. We can't all be part of every group. It's not rational.
Every time I go to another country, I'm the alien. It doesn't hurt my feelings even a little.
I've already spent more time on thinking about this than is necessary. This isn't a policy change, though that was promised too.
As am I. What I wonder, though, is why after all these years/decades trying to deal with the immigration issue, we haven't reached some sort of compromise? Instead, we get these sea saw changes every few years and we just keep on going. Doesn't that seem a little strange to you? Like all this happens by intent?
I can only surmise it's because wedge issues help get people elected.
1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act - Reagan agreed to sign it IF Congress followed through with their Portions. He signed it and the Democrats/Liberals sez - "OK thanks. Now, do it without any funding or support."
Democrats/Liberals will never agree to a fair and balanced Immigration policy and laws and they have shown that year after year after year since 1953 when Eisenhower conducted Operation Wetback 1953 - 1954.
Yeah, Eisenhower was a Republican - aw gee.
I remember that. Approve and we will close the border...........and they welched on that. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm sure the ''wetbacks'' that were US citizens that were deported were really happy with the program.
You realize the term ''wetback'' is a derogatory name, right? It is today and was in 1953/54. Kinda reminds me of the ''Greaser Act''...
Ah hell, what's in a name, 1st. A slur here a slur there, it's all good, kinda reminds me of redskin.
You know one of my favorite stories is when Jim Thorpe knocked Eisenhower out.
In some ways, I can understand that "illegal alien" does sound pretty harsh. However, the question is, should or should not illegal aliens be thought of in a harsh light?
According to the quote I include above, the purpose of changing to "noncitizen" is to recognize America as a nation of immigrants. What's the purpose of that unless one's goal is to increase immigration? Okay. But should we? Part of Biden's speech yesterday dealt with getting people back on their feet and getting businesses open again through his plan of defeating Covid. Fine. Hope it works. Problem is, even after we recover from Covid, there's only so many jobs to be had. How does bringing in even more migrants help us with that problem when we haven't even solved the problem of those already illegally here?
And, how long are we supposed to remain a nation of immigrants? How many people is more than we can handle? The US is more of a service economy than anything else. We don't actually make much anymore so what are people supposed to do for work? A nation living off of minimum wage jobs? Our major cities are full of homeless people and the number just keeps growing. And growing.
But, apparently, we need more migrants. Because we're a nation of immigrants. Because basing our immigration policy on that makes sense. Right?
And no. I'm not anti-immigrant. I just think we need to get the country on it's feet for it's own citizens before we worry about some other country's citizens.
An illegal noncitizen is still in the country illegally. Changing the label won't make jumping the border legal.
Usually someone that breaks the law is labeled a criminal. Criminal migrants would be an accurate label, too.
How does this help the average American Citizen?
You mean those unemployed American/U.S. Citizens??
Those Citizens and the good hardworking Citizens the illegal newcomers will work cheaper than. I think Union workers used to call them "Scabs"
I'm sure if those unemployed US Citizens wanted to work the fields or in a packing plant they could replace an illegal, don't ya think?
Think they know how to chop cotton? Naw, probably not.
Easy to say for someone with a retirement income. You think working fields or in a packing plant are the only jobs illegals take? Think again
Did I say that those were the only jobs that illegals take? No, it isn't but those jobs are quite available right now and by taking one there would be one less job for an illegal.
BTW, my retirement income is something that I earned from working for over 50 years. Maybe when you've worked for 50 years you too will have a retirement income.
Instead of letting illegals in our country, those jobs should be improved, automated, paid highly enough or just not done here
But those were the only two you brought up.
good for you. I’m betting you didn’t have to compete with illegals for your job.
you go ahead and defend illegals, i’ll side with American workers every time.
Charger, it's the same old BS. The reason that the immigration problem has never been settled is that neither party wants it settled.
They undercut Citizens on many jobs. Work for lower pay and benefits negating what our Union brothers fought for
Making assumptions is never a good bet, Gazoo.
You really should improve your reading skills. I did not defend illegals. I'm happy that you'll side with American workers, makes you sound like a patriot.
That is a very good point; but, I still do not like them
You, me and many other Citizens earned our retirements, I am afraid illegals will ruin that for younger Citizens
I saw your comment about union bothers. The reason that unions are close to extinction (non-government) is much more due to the war on unions by politicians and corporations.
“Making assumptions is never a good bet,”
Yeah, you’re right. My bad.
“makes you sound like a patriot.”
would you care to expound on that?
Agreed, I support Unions and am proud I was UTWA member on my summer job going to college (years ago). I wish that I had the support and power of a Union with me on my later jobs.
It's quite clear, your comment makes you sound like a patriot. Simple as that, don't try to read something into it that isn't there.
I've always been a union supporter, it's what built the middle class.