Borders and Populations

Alternatives to detention (ATD) are policies or practices that prevent the holding of migrants in detention centers while they are involved in immigration court proceedings. Many ATD officially recognized by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are subcontracted to subsidiaries of private prison companies and consist of restrictive technologies (such as ankle monitors) and frequent reporting requirements. If writing about these programs, it’s helpful to include a brief explanation of them.

In the context of immigration, assimilation typically refers to immigrants’ adoption of the majority group’s language and some of their cultural values. Historically in the US, it can have coded racist connotations, as it has often implied the absorption of dominant cultural norms. Terms such as integration and acculturation are possible alternatives, with more of an emphasis on a two-way process, allowing for the retention of native customs, language, and other cultural markers.

An asylum seeker is an individual seeking asylum due to fear of persecution in their native country. Someone who has been granted asylum is called an asylee, though some international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees use the term “former refugee.”

An individual is granted US citizenship through different means, including birth and naturalization. Generally, natives or naturalized residents of US territories can be referred to as American citizens; American Samoa is the only unincorporated US territory that does not confer birthright citizenship. As with any such identifier, taking into account an individual’s preference wherever possible ensures language aligns with their lived experience. It may add vital context for audiences to mention in coverage the limits placed on citizenship in US territories and the colonialist history that contributes to why those limits exist.

Colonization is an invasion, displacement, and subjugation of a group of people, often the original or longstanding historical inhabitants of an area. The term colonialism refers to the ongoing processes of power and control by one group over another group or territory, and is inextricably linked to the exploitation of colonized people. There are many contemporary efforts to recognize the effects of colonization around the world, such as celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day rather than Columbus Day.

A DACA recipient is an individual who has been granted protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. A person applies for DACA and, upon approval, “has DACA,” “has DACA status,” or is a “DACA recipient.” “DACAmented” is also a popular usage among some DACA recipients, though as not all recipients use the term, limiting it to those who self-identify in this way acknowledges that difference. Due to the potential legal ramifications of disclosing someone’s immigration status, it’s especially important to confirm with an individual that they are comfortable with the information being included in media coverage, and that its inclusion is necessary and relevant.

DAPA was a planned policy granting parents of American citizens or lawful permanent residents deferred action status. It was blocked from going into effect and eventually rescinded. If mentioning the program, some explanation of its parameters and non-active status provides helpful context.

A detention center, or immigrant detention center, is a facility used to hold immigrants in custody. In the US, these are largely overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They are often identical to prisons in their form and processes; some migrant rights groups prefer to call such centers “immigrant prisons and jails.”