The Trump administration has unveiled a new website, Aliens.gov, which uses UFO-themed imagery to address the issue of illegal immigration. The site, launched last week, features an interactive map that tracks ‘alien encounters,’ referring to arrests of illegal immigrants, and encourages users to report ‘suspicious aliens.’
The website’s launch follows the Pentagon’s release of files related to UFOs, which had sparked interest among conspiracy theorists. However, the content of Aliens.gov has been criticized for its use of the term ‘alien’ to describe illegal immigrants, a term that has historical roots in U.S. immigration law but has become controversial in recent years.
The White House also released an AI-generated animation on social media depicting a UFO abducting an illegal immigrant over the southern border wall. This is not the first time the Trump administration has played with the word ‘alien.’ Previously, President Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself alongside an alien in shackles.
Historical Context and Controversy
The term ‘alien’ has been used in U.S. legal language since the 18th century, appearing in the nation’s first immigration law, the Naturalization Act of 1790. It was also a key term in the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which expanded presidential powers to detain and deport foreigners.
In the 20th century, the term ‘illegal alien’ became common, particularly in reference to Mexican laborers. Over time, the term has been criticized for its dehumanizing implications. In recent years, there has been a shift towards using terms like ‘non-citizen’ or ‘migrant’ instead.
Despite these changes, the Trump administration defends its use of ‘illegal alien’ as factual. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, ‘Identifying an individual as an ‘illegal alien’ is not demeaning, it’s factual.’
Critics argue that the use of such language strips individuals of their personhood and makes them easier to villainize. This perspective is shared by immigrant rights advocates who have long campaigned for more humane terminology.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
