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AIBU?

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Why are we allowing the US to call illegal immigrants “illegal aliens”?

304 replies

KimGym · 27/01/2026 09:55

I find this absolutely sickening!!!! It’s a disgraceful term to use and I feel as though if the US are going to use this disgusting terminology, it should at the very least, be censored in other countries. It is so disrespectful and dehumanising. It’s this sort of language that leads people (hopefully only those who have lacked a basic education) to deem immigrants to be sub human, and paves the way for public acceptance of them being treated in a sub human manner. AIBU to think this is totally abhorrant?

OP posts:
YellowPixie · 27/01/2026 12:04

KimGym · 27/01/2026 11:53

The word has a range of connotations, and a number of them are negative. The country is struggling at the hands of a racist president and many citizens share his racist views. This word is very othering. It’s not by coincidence, that it was chosen to mean “little green aliens from outer space”. Its use for that meaning was linked to its existing uses at the time. It’s not like a word with two completely differentiated meanings. The root of the word means that it has “othering” and dehumanising connotations, and it is now being weaponised.

Bonkers.

KimGym · 27/01/2026 12:04

SnackQueen · 27/01/2026 11:58

So embarrassed for you right now.

Feel free to disagree with me. But I certainly don’t feel embarrassed, to be critical of language that could negatively impact upon others.

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:59

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:47

They did start the thread, but you asked me if KimGym would use the term in the UK and I said I don’t know ask them 😂 I don’t think it should be used anywhere.

I do understand what the term means, I understand the definition and the history, I just still think its derogatory and that the current US government love using it to describe immigrants ( and tbh us citizens) who are not white. IMO of course.

America is an awful country in my mind. Nice to holiday in but other than that it absolutely sucks. One good thing about language is that it’s not static. Maybe in time they will be pressured to stop using the word if they really are using it in a deliberately dehumanising way.

SnackQueen · 27/01/2026 11:58

So embarrassed for you right now.

JacarandaElk · 27/01/2026 11:57

thenightsky · 27/01/2026 11:55

That was the first thing that sprung to my mind when I saw the thread title.

'I'm and alien, I'm an illegal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York'.

Great track.

That is now running through my head on repeat :-)

BillieWiper · 27/01/2026 11:56

Sting doesn't seem to mind it.

The word 'alien' meant out of place or not seen before, way before it referred to little green men from outer space.

I think their actions are much more worrying than their words.

thenightsky · 27/01/2026 11:55

HobnobsChoice · 27/01/2026 09:58

It's always been the term they used. Sting sang about it in Englishman in New York

That was the first thing that sprung to my mind when I saw the thread title.

'I'm and alien, I'm an illegal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York'.

Great track.

KimGym · 27/01/2026 11:54

Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 11:44

Did you not know that the UK has no jurisdiction over what the Americans do or say?
Just imagine Starmer saying: "Now Donald, we've had a complaint " 🤣

Did you not see my second post???

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 11:53

HelpMeGetThrough · 27/01/2026 11:45

Is that before or after he’s licked Donald’s arse.

During 😉

KimGym · 27/01/2026 11:53

The word has a range of connotations, and a number of them are negative. The country is struggling at the hands of a racist president and many citizens share his racist views. This word is very othering. It’s not by coincidence, that it was chosen to mean “little green aliens from outer space”. Its use for that meaning was linked to its existing uses at the time. It’s not like a word with two completely differentiated meanings. The root of the word means that it has “othering” and dehumanising connotations, and it is now being weaponised.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 27/01/2026 11:50

MaloryJones · 27/01/2026 11:39

FFS
PEAK virtue signalling there OP

No. It's simply a poster not understanding the legal and historic meaning of the word. I absolutely hate the term virtue signalling i.e. anyone who speaks up about something they think is wrong.

I have nothing but disgust at the tactics of Trump and ICE in the US but 'alien' is just a word with a specific meaning and not racial. If anyone is using it to mean a racial minority then they are mis-using the word.

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:47

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:43

Did they not start the thread.

The fact is you can be any nationality and be a legal or illegal alien. In fact every single person on earth is a potential alien!

They did start the thread, but you asked me if KimGym would use the term in the UK and I said I don’t know ask them 😂 I don’t think it should be used anywhere.

I do understand what the term means, I understand the definition and the history, I just still think its derogatory and that the current US government love using it to describe immigrants ( and tbh us citizens) who are not white. IMO of course.

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:46

MaloryJones · 27/01/2026 11:39

FFS
PEAK virtue signalling there OP

And based on ignorance.

HelpMeGetThrough · 27/01/2026 11:45

Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 11:44

Did you not know that the UK has no jurisdiction over what the Americans do or say?
Just imagine Starmer saying: "Now Donald, we've had a complaint " 🤣

Is that before or after he’s licked Donald’s arse.

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:44

notacooldad · 27/01/2026 11:41

*BunnyLake ·
”I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m an English man in New York” (Sting, 1987)
Also Genisis had a hit with 'illegal alien' in 1983. They didnt find it fun being an illegal alien though!

I don’t know the Genesis song, will have to look it up.

Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 11:44

Did you not know that the UK has no jurisdiction over what the Americans do or say?
Just imagine Starmer saying: "Now Donald, we've had a complaint " 🤣

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:43

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:40

I don’t know ask KimGym?

Did they not start the thread.

The fact is you can be any nationality and be a legal or illegal alien. In fact every single person on earth is a potential alien!

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/01/2026 11:42

JillyJoy · 27/01/2026 11:06

What is wrong with ex pat please?

When it's used instead of 'immigrant' by someone, usually British, living in another country. It happens a lot on MN.

notacooldad · 27/01/2026 11:41

*BunnyLake ·
”I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m an English man in New York” (Sting, 1987)
Also Genisis had a hit with 'illegal alien' in 1983. They didnt find it fun being an illegal alien though!

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:41

JacarandaElk · 27/01/2026 11:39

It’s not used just for “minority groups”. It’s a term the US has and continues to use for anyone who isn’t a US citizen. You can be a legal / resident alien, illegal alien etc.

Agree.

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:40

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:40

So KimGym would be fine about illegal aliens being used in the UK or Australia, just not America? It’s a common term.

Edited

I don’t know ask KimGym?

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:40

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:38

But we are talking about America and America using the term Illegal Aliens in this thread.

So KimGym would be fine about illegal aliens being used in the UK or Australia, just not America? It’s a common term.

MaloryJones · 27/01/2026 11:39

FFS
PEAK virtue signalling there OP

JacarandaElk · 27/01/2026 11:39

KimGym · 27/01/2026 09:59

Historically, there have been lots of terms used to describe minority groups, that we have moved on from, because we have learned and realises they are not acceptable terms. Why is this any different?

It’s not used just for “minority groups”. It’s a term the US has and continues to use for anyone who isn’t a US citizen. You can be a legal / resident alien, illegal alien etc.

PevenseygirlQQ · 27/01/2026 11:38

BunnyLake · 27/01/2026 11:37

It’s not a uniquely American word. You can be a legal or an illegal alien.

It doesn’t mean someone from outer space.

Edited

But we are talking about America and America using the term Illegal Aliens in this thread.