The Justice Department began calling
illegal immigrants "illegal aliens," breaking from the Obama-era
language of "undocumented," "unauthorized," or "migrants."
The change came last month in a press release announcing Attorney
General Jeff Sessions' meeting with the families of victims of crimes by
illegal immigrants. This week an official statement heralding tougher
rules for sanctuary cities also used the term.
"So-called 'sanctuary' policies make all of us less safe because they
intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have
committed crimes," the document read.
Some were outraged at the language switch, noting that "word choice is
important," as Chicago Tribune writer Todd Slowik wrote.
"The phrase “illegal alien” plays into assumptions that immigrants
living in this country without proper documentation are criminals,"
Slowik wrote
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