In a statement posted on X Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security criticized the media’s use of the term “undocumented immigrant,” emphasizing that the appropriate terminology is “illegal alien.”
The post, which includes several media headlines using the wokier term, reads, “‘Undocumented immigrant’ is the immigration equivalent of ‘they/them.’ DHS has no interest in the left’s open borders pronouns. ‘Alien’ is the technical legal term, and that is what DHS will use. ‘Illegal’ is the only way to correctly describe lawbreakers. Next thing you know you will be calling burglars ‘undocumented houseguests.’”
“Undocumented immigrant” is the immigration equivalent of “they/them.”
DHS has no interest in the left’s open borders pronouns. “Alien” is the technical legal term, and that is what DHS will use. “Illegal” is the only way to correctly describe lawbreakers.
Next thing you know… pic.twitter.com/MKEe1Z0oA3
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 20, 2025
Fox News reports that federal law includes multiple references to the term “illegal alien” or “alien” in describing persons who incur into the U.S. illegally or without proper documentation.
In 8 U.S.C (U.S. Code) 1182 and 1227 – provisions dealing with admission and removal of foreign nationals – the terms “inadmissible aliens” and “deportable aliens” are used.
In federal statute delineating employment and public benefits, 8 U.S.C. 1324(a) and 8 U.S.C. 1611 describe the “unlawful employment of aliens” and “aliens ineligible for federal public benefits.”