Migration is key to so many stories we tell about the world and its peoples, which makes it a challenging topic to cover in a nuanced way. Conflicts can involve the highest stakes, borders are continually shifting, and legal and cultural definitions are frequently at odds. Certain terms related to migration have also taken on specific cultural meanings in the US, and to use them could inadvertently appear to be endorsing a particular viewpoint.
This section of Language, Please aims to help journalists understand key immigration-related terms and the ways their use continues to evolve. This guidance is intended for US newsrooms and focuses on US policy.
This resource was informed by questions and discussions from our own newsrooms. It is a living document that will expand over time. It is not meant to be comprehensive or the definitive arbiter of language “rules” but instead aims to give context and inform thoughtful decision-making. Have a suggestion for an update, change, or addition? Please get in touch.
How to use: Browse the whole section or search for the term you need guidance on; click into any term for in-depth context, additional resources, and related terms.
Additional resources:
expulsion / deportation
“Expulsion” refers to legal orders to leave the territory of a state. “Deportation” refers to the implementation of those orders. Be mindful when reporting on undocumented immigration of anything that could put a source at risk of legal action, and make sure to clearly explain how the information they are giving you would be used and any potential risks for them.
family separation
Family separation refers to the forcible separation of migrant children and families. In recent years, it has become associated with a particular period of government action in 2017-2018. When using the term, for clarity it’s helpful to distinguish between “forcible separation” or “separation by US Customs and Border Protection” and separation occurring through other circumstances, for instance accidental separation.
family-based immigration / family reunification
The term “family-based immigration” refers to a type of immigration that is based on family ties. It is also sometimes called “chain migration,” though this term is often used in coded racist ways and thus may be best restricted to direct quotes, with some explanation given.
federally recognized Tribe
A federally recognized Tribe is a legal description of a government-to-government relationship with an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity. A federally recognized Tribe may also be called a federally recognized Indian Nation, band, pueblo, community, or Native village; understanding the terms that members of these communities use to self-identify is helpful for accuracy and clarity. Explaining a Tribe’s status as recognized or unrecognized, and how that status affects issues facing the community, adds vital context for readers.
genocide
Genocide is defined under international law as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Proving genocide in court is a complex process that often takes years or even decades. Journalists play a crucial role describing what happened, identifying applicable legal definitions, and analyzing how those actions or rhetoric may suggest genocidal intent. Doing so promotes factual accuracy and helps audiences understand the human and legal impact of such actions. When reporting on genocide allegations, identify the credibility of your sources, state whether independent verification exists, and provide context for differing conclusions. Doing so helps prevent misinformation, uphold transparency, and reinforce journalistic integrity in reporting on crimes of this magnitude.
green card / lawful permanent residence (LPR)
A green card allows a person to live and work in the United States, conferring the status of lawful permanent residence. Terms such as “green card marriage” are vague, contain assumptions about an individual’s situation, and can reinforce negative stereotypes.
Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of America
The Gulf of Mexico is a roughly 580,000 square-mile marginal sea bordered by the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. It feeds into the Atlantic Ocean, fuels massive weather events, and has been known by this name for roughly 400 years. A 2025 executive order called for the US Board on Geographic Names to relabel it the Gulf of America. Some useful questions for journalists to consider: Which term is most neutral, clear, and well-known to my audience? What would my use of one term or the other convey? When citing sources, how can I understand and accurately describe the rationales for their labeling choices?
hate crime
A hate crime as defined by the Justice Department is “a crime motivated by bias against [perceived or actual] race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.” Since the legal standard for a hate crime is narrow and may be difficult to determine, especially in a breaking news situation, adding hedging language such as “possible” or “alleged” may be necessary until further information is available.
human smuggling
“Human smuggling,” sometimes called “migrant smuggling,” involves illegally transporting someone across a border (usually an international border) to a state or nation where the individual is not a national or permanent resident, for financial or other material gain. Human smuggling is often confused with human trafficking, but there is a distinction: Smuggling is a crime against the state, while trafficking is a crime against the individual being trafficked.
human trafficking
Human trafficking is the coercion of a person into some kind of labor, including sex work and domestic servitude, by means of force, deception, or fraud. Human trafficking should not be conflated with human smuggling, which involves transporting someone across the border illegally and does not involve coercion; or with voluntary sex work, which, due to being voluntary, is not related to human trafficking.
Get in Touch
Language, Please is a living resource and will be updated regularly. Have a question, suggestion, or addition? We’d love to hear from you.
Find an Inclusivity Reviewer
Access our inclusivity reviewer directory here.