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:
immigrant
An immigrant is someone who moves to a country other than that of their nationality or usual residence. Immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker are all technically types of migrants, though the latter two imply involuntary migration.
immigration courts
Immigration courts are a network of civil courts overseen by the Justice Department, where immigration-related proceedings, such as asylum claims and deportation hearings, are decided. The court system has been criticized by academics and activists for its huge backlog and the influence that politics may have in its decisions.
Indigenous
Indigenous refers to the original inhabitants of a place before colonialism, and to their customs, language, and other cultural markers. In the US, Indigenous peoples are also referred to broadly as Native Americans, American Indians, Native peoples, and First Americans. Those who are Indigenous to Alaska are typically called Alaska Natives. There are several Indigenous Pacific Islander populations in the US, including Native Hawaiians, the CHamorus of the Mariana Islands, and Samoans. While Indigenous can be used as a broad category, it’s clearest to specify the population being referred to whenever possible, and to take into account an individual’s preference whenever possible. Thoughtful reporting will avoid stereotypical stories (see, for example, the Indigenous Journalists Association bingo card) and will account for both historical and contemporary context. Stylewise, the Native American Journalists Association recommends news outlets capitalize the term “in order to avoid confusion between indigenous plants and animals and Indigenous human beings.”
invasion
In the context of immigration, “invasion” is a coded term often used to describe immigrants from Central and South American countries, which can serve to dehumanize and other them. If use of the term is necessary and relevant to coverage, explaining its coded meanings provides the audience with essential context.
irregular migration
“Irregular migration” refers to migration that is also described in the United States as “illegal,” though “irregular” avoids suggesting criminality.
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.
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