Key Takeaways
• On February 11, 2025, “alien” replaced “noncitizen” throughout USCIS policy, reflecting a significant shift in immigration terminology and tone.
• As of January 21, 2025, undocumented immigrants 14+ must register, provide fingerprints, and address, per the Alien Registration Act.
• Refugee resettlement was suspended January 27, 2025, affecting thousands and halting critical humanitarian relief efforts globally.
The Trump administration has reintroduced the term “alien” into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual, marking a substantial change in immigration policy language. This change, implemented on February 11, 2025, reverses the steps taken during the Biden administration to adopt more inclusive terms like “noncitizen” in official documents. By reinstating “alien,” defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 101(a)(3) as “any person not a citizen or national of the United States,” the shift reflects a significant pivot in the tone and style of U.S. immigration policy.
This terminology update applies uniformly across the USCIS Policy Manual. Updates affect references in critical sections such as “General Policies and Procedures,” “Humanitarian Protection and Parole,” “Refugees and Asylees,” “Adjustment of Status,” “Travel and Identity Documents,” and several others. The updated language mirrors previous immigration protocols by invoking long-standing legal definitions, including direct references to the Alien Registration Act of 1940.
The change is part of a broader return to earlier immigration practices under President Trump. His administration has acted decisively since his second term began on January 20, 2025, reversing several policies enacted during President Biden’s tenure. Among these, the reintroduction of an immigration registration process stands out. On January 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced a requirement for undocumented immigrants aged 14 or older to register with federal authorities, provide their home address, and submit fingerprints if a record of their status had never been filed with USCIS. Rooted in the Alien Registration Act, this initiative has prompted significant anxiety among immigrant populations and the advocates who represent them. Lawyers like Jamilah Espinosa of Charlotte have reported an increasing fear among clients who worry about the potential misuse of information collected through this contentious policy.
In addition to reestablishing the mandatory registration requirement, the Trump administration has implemented sweeping actions that alter terrain for immigrants living in or seeking entry into the United States. One of the most immediate actions included expanding expedited removal powers, allowing federal agents to deport certain individuals without providing them a court hearing. Another change eliminated the use of the CBP One application for scheduling asylum interviews at ports of entry, an adjustment affecting approximately 270,000 individuals. These shifts not only tighten access for asylum seekers but also upend processes many migrants relied upon under previous administrations.
The reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” program, further deepened enforcement measures. Under an agreement with Mexico 🇲🇽, asylum seekers awaiting hearings must remain on the Mexican side of the border—a policy criticized during Trump’s earlier term for creating humanitarian challenges, including unsafe conditions for migrants in temporary camps. Furthermore, the suspension of all refugee resettlement to the United States, effective January 27, 2025, has left thousands in limbo. Resettlement agencies were instructed to cancel travel plans for incoming refugees as early as January 21, halting what many saw as a critical humanitarian program.
Legal pathways to permanent residence, work permits, and international movement are also under review. The administration has signaled its intention to tighten eligibility criteria for individuals accessing public benefits. While the precise framework of this policy remains undecided, it appears rooted in longstanding debates about limiting access to social services for undocumented immigrants. Similarly, new visa rules may strengthen ideological screening procedures, with the Secretary of State tasked to provide changes within 30 days.
Looking outward, the administration has initiated plans targeting transnational crime and border security. Federal agencies have been asked to identify international cartels and other organizations for potential designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), a move that could have wide-ranging implications for law enforcement and foreign relations. Both the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security were ordered to advise within 90 days whether stronger border security measures, potentially invoking the Insurrection Act, should be proposed to maintain “operational control.” These discussions could dramatically affect legal immigration processes as stricter protocols solidify.
The replacement of “noncitizen” with “alien” in federal files, while apparently symbolic, underscores larger ideological goals tied to Trump’s immigration platform. Administrative tone often plays a role in shaping public perception—by reverting to earlier statutory terms, the USCIS aligns more closely with traditionalist stances on immigration regulation. Analysts with VisaVerge.com have pointed out that these shifts in language and policy signal a broader nationwide tightening of immigrant and refugee admission systems, setting a legal tone that may impact future enforcement frameworks.
Critics have been vocal about the cumulative effects of these policies, from humanitarian concerns to potential infringements on civil liberties. Some question whether the Alien Registration Act’s application matches constitutional protections available today. Critics assert that targeting undocumented populations through mandatory fingerprinting increases risks of discriminatory practices, especially when this data intersects with growing deportation goals. There has also been marked concern over the indefinite suspension of refugee admissions, with advocates worrying that America’s past commitment to supporting uprooted populations may be eroded.
Concerns extend beyond logistical challenges or statutory compliance. Asylum seekers and migrants standing on uncertain moral and legal ground may face unprecedented reductions in procedural safeguards. For example, removing court hearing opportunities through the expanded expedited removal process places high stakes on instant determinations by immigration enforcement officials.
As President Trump continues his second term, further iterations of legislation or executive action could be on the horizon. Within two months, the White House expects recommendations outlining which countries do not adequately share security-related information with the U.S. nationals from these territories could plausibly face inclusion on updated travel bans. Decisions like these will likely spark litigation as advocacy groups gear up to challenge perceived overreach in immigration governance.
Beyond immediate legal challenges, the policy impact has financial ramifications as well. The expanded Remain in Mexico protocols increase reliance on Mexican authorities to address asylum seekers at the southern border—obliging Mexican officials to manage safety and well-being inside a politically tense bi-national partnership. Refugee resettlement freezes, by contrast, will likely place administrative strain onto international organizations coordinating such efforts globally. Domestically, state or municipal welfare expenditures could also surge, given the growing mismatch between available federal refugee resettlement funding and local demands placed on city governments managing vulnerable entry-level populations.
The political debate ignited by the Trump administration’s immigration strategy will play out in Congress, courts, and local grassroots engagement circles. Taken together, initiatives covering data-sharing compliance, port-of-entry asylum enforcement, Refugee Act pauses, and local fingerprinting projects indicate systemic reshaping cemented in clear legislative history like the Alien Registration Act guidelines earlier decades spotlighted.
If you are seeking additional official resources regarding forms, procedures, or directly affected programs concerning the USCIS Policy Manual revisions, visit the official USCIS Policy Manual page at https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual. While these policies evolve, immigrant advocacy groups strongly recommend consulting legal professionals for tailored status reviews or appeals in light of heightened complexities during active federal shifts.
Ultimately, the re-embrace of “alien” through federal regulation reaffirms more conservative linguistic alignment within immigration rulebooks. The enduring consequences of policy volatility—especially under Trump-guided frameworks—profoundly shape the immigrant legal, cultural, and economic landscape, creating waves that will reach beyond borders or statutes.
Learn Today
Alien → Legal term for any person not a citizen or national of the United States, as defined by U.S. law.
Alien Registration Act → 1940 law requiring non-citizens in the U.S. to register and provide personal information to federal authorities.
Expedited Removal → Process allowing federal agents to quickly deport individuals without a court hearing under specific conditions.
Migrant Protection Protocols (Remain in Mexico) → Policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration court hearings.
Refugee Resettlement → Program facilitating the relocation of vulnerable individuals into the U.S. for humanitarian protection and permanent residence.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Trump administration’s return to “alien” in immigration policy marks a symbolic yet significant shift. By reviving traditional terminology, it reinforces stricter stances on immigration. Critics argue this language perpetuates exclusion, deepening divides. As policies evolve, impacts on migrants and legal safeguards intensify, demanding close scrutiny of America’s immigration future.
— By VisaVerge.com
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