The Department of Homeland Security was applauded online for a “based” correction of the use of the term “undocumented immigrant.”
With media outlets and the politically correct insisting on using “undocumented” when they clearly mean illegal, DHS sought to clear up the confusion in a post on X, noting the correct technical and legal term for those in the country against the law.
“’Undocumented immigrant’ is the immigration equivalent of ‘they/them,'” the post read, pointing to examples of headlines.
“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
“DHS has no interest in the left’s open borders pronouns,” the department said, adding that “Alien” is “the technical legal term, and that is what DHS will use.”
“’Illegal’ is the only way to correctly describe lawbreakers,” the post continued.
“Next thing you know you will be calling burglars ‘undocumented houseguests,’” the statement concluded.
The most BASED statement ever released by the federal government
— Johnny Patriot (@Johnnypatriot26) August 20, 2025
Anyone coming into the U.S. illegally or without proper documentation is referred to as “illegal alien” or “alien” in federal law.
“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,” Fox News notes. “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.'”
The “improper entry by [an] alien” reference is made in 8 U.S.C. 1325, and “bringing in and harboring certain aliens” is mentioned in 8 U.S.C. 1324.
The Associated Press Stylebook and other guides frowned on the term “illegal immigrant” when making the phrasing changes.
“The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term ‘illegal immigrant’ or the use of ‘illegal’ to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that ‘illegal’ should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally,” the AP style guide announced in a 2013 blog.
Social media users poked fun at the senseless terminology.
Drug dealers are ‘unlicensed pharmacists’
— Phoeli (@sunmynd) August 20, 2025
Driving without a license = Undocumented driver
Wedding crasher = Undocumented wedding guest
Shop lifter = Receiptless customer
— Just Another Sapiens (@sapiens_another) August 20, 2025
“Undocumented” is when I drive to the store and forget my driver’s license.
Illegal aliens are illegal aliens. We don’t need to make up cute names for them.
— Dana (@OhMelodylane) August 20, 2025
The DHS’s take on the issue sparked a flood of support on X, despite the consensus that the leftwing media will continue to refer to undocumented immigrants and undocumented workers.
Finally—DHS using plain language instead of activist code words. “Illegal alien” is the law, not a pronoun preference.
— JBR V (@JohnBReilyV) August 20, 2025
It really is Based Department.
— Daily Gondor (@DailyGondor) August 20, 2025
ILLEGAL means not legal.
Not difficult to understand.— NaTaS X (@Jenkins675) August 20, 2025
Finally!! Some sanity returns to our language!! A very welcome change.
— LarsKerch (@LJKerch) August 20, 2025
Yes!! I voted for this. pic.twitter.com/oeSb2wF21X
— Raven’s Nest (@RavensNest1776) August 20, 2025
Savage. I love this administration.
— California Patriot (@ashesdephoenix) August 21, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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