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:
Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hate
What to know Islamophobia refers to discrimination, hatred, and violence toward Muslims and the religion of Islam. While the phenomenon became more prevalent in the US after the 9/11 terror attacks, Islamophobia is rooted in longstanding tropes that frame Muslim people, beliefs, and practices as alien and threatening. These stereotypes and negative images are perpetuated… Continue reading Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hate
migrant
“Migrant” is an umbrella term for anyone who moves within or outside of their country of residence. Being specific about the situation in question and someone’s motivation for the move can help bring clarity to a story. For example, referring to people who are fleeing war or persecution as “refugees” will highlight the necessity of their move in a way that recognizes their situation.
migrant worker
A “migrant worker” is a person who moves to another country, often temporarily, for the purpose of seeking employment. Migrant workers are referred to by various other terms, including “foreign workers,” “seasonal workers,” “guest workers,” or “temporary contractual workers,” though the first term may be othering and can insert a note of bias into any description of someone’s experience.
nationalism
“Nationalism” is a sense of belonging to a place or a people united by language, culture, customs, or religion. It’s often associated with independence and liberation but can be exclusive and insular. When reporting about this topic, it can help to be specific about the type of nationalism you are referring to and to give some explanation for the term, for example white nationalism, which focuses on the supposed superiority of white people over nonwhite people; or ethnonationalism, which defines nationalism in terms of a shared ethnicity.
naturalization
Naturalization is the conferring of the nationality of a state upon a person after birth. If seeking to promote the inclusion of naturalized citizens as full members of society, describing how someone obtained their citizenship should generally only be mentioned if necessary to the story, as it can “other” them in the eyes of the audience.
nonimmigrant visa
A nonimmigrant visa is granted to an individual who lawfully enters a host country for a temporary stay, such as tourism, business, temporary work, or study. Using “nonimmigrant” to describe a person’s visa status instead of their entire personhood is both more precise and more humanizing.
parolee
In the context of immigration, a “parolee” is a noncitizen granted a temporary stay in the United States for humanitarian or public interest purposes. On first mention, it’s helpful for clarity to specify the type of parole as “immigration parole.”
protest, riot, unrest, uprising, insurrection
“Protest” refers to public actions expressing opposition, such as marches, sit-ins, demonstrations, and forms of non-physical or digital actions. “Riot” is a violent disturbance of peace involving a group of people with the same intent; some journalism organizations advise extra caution and, in some cases, recommend alternatives to the term. “Uprising” refers to a period of protest against governing systems or injustice. “Insurrection” describes a rebellion against an established authority, often using violence.. When in doubt, describe the specifics of what you see to avoid inaccurate labels.
refugee
A refugee is an individual unwilling or unable to return to their country of nationality due to fear of persecution. As with any such descriptor, in order to avoid stigma it is considered best practice to avoid using terms like “refugee” to talk about people unless it is directly relevant to a story.
social determinants of health
Social determinants of health are five factors that impact an individual’s health and well-being, and contribute to health disparities and inequities. It’s a public health term that includes factors such as economic stability and health care access. Social determinants of health cover many factors that may be referred to as “lifestyle factors” or “lifestyle risks,” such as tobacco use, diet, or exercise. A person does not have control over every single quality that impacts their health; the social determinants of health recognize this in the way that risk factors are organized and labeled “social,” not “individual.”
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