California to replace 'alien' with 'noncitizen,' 'immigrant' in state laws
Category: News & Politics
Via: vic-eldred • 3 years ago • 40 commentsBy: Celine Castronuovo (TheHill)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
California Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomCalifornia to launch program tracking violent deaths in LGBTQ+ communityCalifornia governor signs legislation targeting Amazon warehouse speed quotasNewsom signs privacy laws for abortion providers and patientsMORE (D) on Friday signed into law a measure that will effectively remove the term "alien" from state laws in reference to residents who are not U.S. citizens, in a response to growing arguments that the word is outdated and offensive.
The legislation, which was authored by California A ssembly member Luz Rivas (D), will replace the word with alternative terms like "noncitizen" or "immigrant" according to an announcement from Newsom's office.
While state laws passed in 2015 and 2016 removed the word from the California labor and education code, the measure signed by Newsom Friday will replace the term in all state laws.
Newsom said in a statement, "As the nation's most diverse state, we are stronger and more vibrant because of our immigrant communities."
"This important legislation removes the word 'alien,' which is not only an offensive term for a human being, but for far too long has fueled a divisive and hurtful narrative," he added. "By changing this term, we are ensuring California's laws reflect our state's values."
Rivas praised Newsom on Twitter Friday, writing that the signing " marks a huge step forward in the fight to dismantle institutional racism targeted specifically towards our immigrant communities."
"For decades, the term 'alien' has become weaponized and has been used in place of explicitly racial slurs to dehumanize immigrants," she continued, thanking Newsom "for recognizing the importance of this bill and taking action to remove derogatory language from our laws."
Governor @GavinNewsom just signed my bill, #AB1096 to remove the term "alien" from CA law when referring to immigrants and noncitizens!
Today marks a huge step forward in the fight to dismantle institutional racism targeted specifically towards our immigrant communities. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/LvO6kFdL2h
— Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (@AsmLuzRivas) September 24, 2021
I also want to thank Governor @GavinNewsom for recognizing the importance of this bill and taking action to remove derogatory language from our laws.https://t.co/D1iJM0PzkQ (3/3)
— Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (@AsmLuzRivas) September 24, 2021
Nationwide movements have grown in recent years to remove references to immigrants as "aliens," a term which stems back to at least 1798 with the passage of the " Aliens and Sedition Acts."
In April, the Biden administration ordered employees of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stop referring to migrants as "aliens."
Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said at the time that the move was necessary to help "enforce our nation's laws while also maintaining the dignity of every individual with whom we interact."
"The words we use matter and will serve to further confer that dignity to those in our custody," he added.
The California measure was one of several Newsom signed into law Friday as part of a larger effort to expand " the state's humane immigration policies by providing protections and support for immigrants."
The other legislation signed Friday included measures codifying safety standards at detention facilities, as well as defending rights of unaccompanied and undocumented minors.
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It's time to repay the illegal migrants who voted for him in the recall election. That and another round of relief chescks should do it!
Sierra Oscar.
The right prefers laws use words that insult.
Why else call undocumented "Illegal Aliens"?
Do you even know what “alien” means in “illegal alien?” It means foreigner, or outsider. “Alien” is a perfect, straight to the point description of foreigners. When these aliens (foreigners) cross into our country illegally they become illegal aliens (foreigners who are not legally in our country). This term applies to all colors, ethnicities, nationalities. Pretty simple, eh?
Duh.
Illegal is apt if they are here ILLEGALLY.
Alien is apt because they are NOT FROM THIS COUNTRY.
All this stuff is nonsense.
An illegal alien IS an illegal alien and will always be one as long as they are here illegally.
What's next, progressive liberals----no more word "illegal" because non-law-abiding people MIGHT be somehow "offended? Tough shit,.
Illegal is still illegal no matter how hard Newsome and the left try to spin it. Personally, I would tell Mr Newsome to go to Hell but he is already there. It's called California and the hand basket has already arrived!
UM, because that is what they are.
Much like the party of the KKK, Jim Crowe, slavery, anti civil rights, etc, was then, and now, known as the Democratic party.
Can't change definitions of what is true just because you don't like them.
It depends on context. In the context of the seeded article, it's within a law or regulation.
Please cite which federal of state law or regulation defines it as you claim above. I'll wait...
have you ever heard the term "illegal alien"?
Do you know what an illegal alien IS?
It is a person who is here illegally.
Usually, that means they have overstayed a visa or crossed our border illegally, or have not attended mandatory court appearances.
Here is the official definition of “alien”:
8 U.S. Code § 1101 - Definitions
I think that trumps all the semantics!
Thanks Tacos, I am well aware of the definition in the US Code, which is why when it was claimed that:
was posited, I KNEW it was FALSE.
I suppose “outsider” is arguably somewhat vague, but “foreigner” seems accurate enough.
Oh, hell, let's discuss what the word "is" means now.........about as productive as having a discussion about illegal aliens with someone pretending to not know what they are.
Tacos, you JUST posted the federal definition of the term. It doesn't say that alien means foreigner or outsider.
So, [Deleted] what exactly DOES alien mean?
Just how many times have you heard an American citizen referred to as an alien within the US?
An ILLEGAL ALIEN is a person who is NOT an American citizen and who is in the country ILLEGALLY.
This is far less complicated than some would like to make it.
Well, not really to some. There are those here and in the country that believe that the word alien only means something from outer space.
To most of them, those that come here illegally means "future democratic voter".
I just can't believe the amount of time spent pretending "illegal alien" means something different than what you and I correctly know what it means.
I don’t understand this hair you seem to be trying to split. Is there a point? Because if there is, you aren’t expressing it.
Since when is stating a relevant fact splitting hairs? Gazoo made a false claim. It's been refuted in no small part by YOUR link. THAT is the point.
I’m way ahead of ya, newsome. I stopped using “aliens” long ago when i shortened it up to “illegals.”
How do you determine who you can call an "Illegal"?
I determine that based on their status of being here illegally.
How do you tell someone is undocumented?
How do you think? If they are here legally, no problem. If they are here illegally they are illegal. Sheeesh!
Simple.
If one is here illegally, then that alone makes them illegal.
Why does this need to be so complicated--------illegal is illegal, and no amount of changing words will ever, ever change that.
Papers please./s
The horror ! How will our civilization survive this outrage?
I know! If we call them what they are their feelings might get hurt. In fact maybe we should stop calling criminals what they are and refer to them as “residents” or “those within our care.” let’s coddle them. Let’s not hurt their precious little thug feelings. Let’s show them the decency they neglected, sometimes viciously and barbarically, to show their victims.
there is nothing wrong with calling someone or something what it is. It’s not racist. It’s not being mean. It’s the truth. And if someone doesn’t like being called what they are it’s up to them to change.
That is the excuse pigs use for racist/sexist slurs!
No, that’s just woke dumbfucks playing the race card for ten zillionth time.
Right on!
A person can’t change their race or sex, and neither status violates the law. The standard term for a foreign national present in a country not their own is “alien.” If they are present in the country without permission, they are there illegally. That is a choice they made. It’s an entirely different thing from being male or female, black or white.
You mean like how you call us fascists just because you don't like our opinions....and the truth we show you day in and day out?
The presence of Illegal Aliens should be an insult to all good citizens
This is childish. Some words have always been used to dehumanize people (like the n-word) but “alien” is not one of those words. An “alien” is simply a person from another country. The word has a meaning and that meaning is not derogatory or insulting.
The controversial part is people who come from another country and either enter or stay without permission. Honestly identifying them for what they are doing does not make the observer the bad guy, nor does it make the simple terminology evil.
This need to preserve people’s feelings by not using frank and honest language is damaging to government and society because it means we cannot have honest conversations about real issues. Thus, those issues do not get solved honestly.
"Does not belong here" is a better but longer
Science fiction took the meaning of 'alien' in an entirely new direction c1953. I would think our brains are big enough not to be butt-hurt by this minor addition.
The English language is a 'whore' that adopts words from all languages and new meanings from all generations and that makes her a Saint to be cherished.
How long before some "brilliant" progressive liberal starts claiming that illegal aliens "identify" as legal aliens?