House bill would remove the term 'alien' from federal law

[lostinblue 1,989]

House bill would remove the term 'alien' from federal law

A bill introduced in the House on Thursday would change how immigrants are referred in federal laws.

Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas) has introduced the Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act. The bill would remove the term "illegal alien" and replace it with "undocumented foreign national” and keep executive branch agencies from using “alien” or "illegal alien" in signage and literature.

"America is a nation of immigrants, yet our federal government continues to use terms that dehumanize and ostracize those in our society who happen to have been born elsewhere," Castro said in a release.

"Regardless of status, immigrants to our nation are first and foremost human beings. Removing the term 'alien' from our federal laws shows respect to our shared heritage and to the hundreds of millions of descendants of immigrants who call America home."

Congress has passed similar legislation before to remove offensive language from federal law, including the 21st Century Language Act, which removed the term “lunatic,” and Rosa's Law, which removed the term “mentally retarded."

"Words matter, particularly in the context of an issue as contentious as immigration," Castro said.

"Discontinuing our use of the term 'alien' will help lessen the prejudice and vitriol that for too long have poisoned our nation's discussions around immigration reform," he added.

http://thehill.com/regulation/legislation/257801-house-bill-would-change-term-for-immigrants-in-federal-law

remove the term "illegal alien" and replace it with "undocumented foreign national” He has it half right... Undocumented Democrats .. what most of them will become.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

House bill would remove the term 'alien' from federal law

A bill introduced in the House on Thursday would change how immigrants are referred in federal laws.

Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas) has introduced the Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act. The bill would remove the term "illegal alien" and replace it with "undocumented foreign national and keep executive branch agencies from using alien or "illegal alien" in signage and literature.

"America is a nation of immigrants, yet our federal government continues to use terms that dehumanize and ostracize those in our society who happen to have been born elsewhere," Castro said in a release.

"Regardless of status, immigrants to our nation are first and foremost human beings. Removing the term 'alien' from our federal laws shows respect to our shared heritage and to the hundreds of millions of descendants of immigrants who call America home."

Congress has passed similar legislation before to remove offensive language from federal law, including the 21st Century Language Act, which removed the term lunatic, and Rosa's Law, which removed the term mentally retarded."

"Words matter, particularly in the context of an issue as contentious as immigration," Castro said.

"Discontinuing our use of the term 'alien' will help lessen the prejudice and vitriol that for too long have poisoned our nation's discussions around immigration reform," he added.

http://thehill.com/regulation/legislation/257801-house-bill-would-change-term-for-immigrants-in-federal-law

remove the term "illegal alien" and replace it with "undocumented foreign national He has it half right... Undocumented Democrats .. what most of them will become.

Next the word felon will be banned. America has gone nuts

[Expat1 971]

It's good to know that our elected officials are focused like lasers on the critical business of governing the country

[Teddy B 17,252]

I agree with Expat that our elected officials should be spending the little time they are actually working on more important issues.

But since it's been posted here, I do have a few questions.

Is there any other term that is used for someone who breaks the law in the US that is preceded with the word "illegal"? We have "drug dealers", "bank robbers", "drunk drivers", "tax evaders" etc. While we all know those are illegal acts, we don't actually use the word "illegal" to describe the law breaker, do we? I know that an "undocumented foreign national" means the person is in the US illegally, is it really that hard to figure out? And is it really all that important in the grand scheme of things?

Edited October 26, 2015 by Teddy B

[Expat1 971]

I agree with Expat that our elected officials should be spending the little time they are actually working on more important issues.

But since it's been posted here, I do have a few questions.

Is there any other term that is used for someone who breaks the law in the US that is preceded with the word "illegal"? We have "drug dealers", "bank robbers", "drunk drivers", "tax evaders" etc. While we all know those are illegal acts, we don't actually use the word "illegal" to describe the law breaker, do we? I know that an "undocumented foreign national" means the person is in the US illegally, is it really that hard to figure out? And is it really all that important in the grand scheme of things?

I don't believe there is any combination of words or sentences that could be put together to make this issue matter one way or another, but you get a +1 for trying.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I don't believe there is any combination of words or sentences that could be put together to make this issue matter one way or another, but you get a +1 for trying.

Slow work day.

[decocker 7,198]

It's good to know that our elected officials are focused like lasers on the critical business of governing the country

embarrassing really.

I agree with Expat that our elected officials should be spending the little time they are actually working on more important issues.

But since it's been posted here, I do have a few questions.

Is there any other term that is used for someone who breaks the law in the US that is preceded with the word "illegal"? We have "drug dealers", "bank robbers", "drunk drivers", "tax evaders" etc. While we all know those are illegal acts, we don't actually use the word "illegal" to describe the law breaker, do we? I know that an "undocumented foreign national" means the person is in the US illegally, is it really that hard to figure out? And is it really all that important in the grand scheme of things?

[Teddy B 17,252]

embarrassing really.

That last one is spot on!

[decocker 7,198]

I don't believe there is any combination of words or sentences that could be put together to make this issue matter one way or another, but you get a +1 for trying.

the federal government is inflexible and focused on what they feel they can control without conflict - which is nothing of importance.

immigration reform? no that interferes with the elect-ability of our politicians. removing a word from federal law, yeah that's doable, if the headlines generated amount to a bit of buzz...oh look, the house is working hard on something.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

I agree with Expat that our elected officials should be spending the little time they are actually working on more important issues.

But since it's been posted here, I do have a few questions.

Is there any other term that is used for someone who breaks the law in the US that is preceded with the word "illegal"? We have "drug dealers", "bank robbers", "drunk drivers", "tax evaders" etc. While we all know those are illegal acts, we don't actually use the word "illegal" to describe the law breaker, do we? I know that an "undocumented foreign national" means the person is in the US illegally, is it really that hard to figure out? And is it really all that important in the grand scheme of things?

Probably becuse aliens can be illegal or illegal so you need a modifier. Not so much with bank robbers, drug dealers etc.

the federal government is inflexible and focused on what they feel they can control without conflict - which is nothing of importance.

immigration reform? no that interferes with the elect-ability of our politicians. removing a word from federal law, yeah that's doable, if the headlines generated amount to a bit of buzz...oh look, the house is working hard on something.

Good post and right on point

[Teddy B 17,252]

Probably becuse aliens can be illegal or illegal so you need a modifier. Not so much with bank robbers, drug dealers etc.

Good post and right on point

Aliens can also be documented or undocumented and everyone knows what the definition of both are.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Aliens can also be documented or undocumented and everyone knows what the definition of both are.

If everyone knows what it means , then why have some silly tickle me pink substitute word. By all mean lets play substitute word, politically correct buzz word jeopardy for 40 Alex

God forbid we should offended someone who has no regard for our laws.

[Teddy B 17,252]

If everyone knows what it means , then why have some silly tickle me pink substitute word. By all mean lets play substitute word, politically correct buzz word jeopardy for 40 Alex

God forbid we should offended someone who has no regard for our laws.

Not all undocumented aliens came here on their own free will. Many were brought here as children with no idea where they were going or what was ahead. Why should they be stuck with the label "illegal" for something their parents did?

[TBoneTX 46,356]

Perhaps the parents should have thought about that before breaking the laws of this country.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Perhaps the parents should have thought about that before breaking the laws of this country.

I'm sure most of the parents thought they were leading their kids to a better life. What say did the kids have in the matter?

In this country we don't hold kids responsible for the actions of their parents. It would be pretty screwed up if we did, citizens or not.