DHS Mocks Media For Use Of Word ‘Undocumented’: ‘The Immigration Equivalent Of They/Them’

The Department of Homeland Security openly mocked media outlets in a Wednesday post, claiming that their use of the phrase “undocumented immigrant” was no less ridiculous than the use of “they/them” pronouns to indicate gender identity.

The official X account for DHS shared a graphic that showed several cut-out headlines, all of which used the term “undocumented immigrants” instead of “illegal aliens” when referring to those who were in the United States illegally.

“Undocumented immigrant accused in fatal drunken driving crash to remain jailed,” one read, and another said, “Eleven undocumented immigrants arrested in Seymour.” A third read, “Who are they undocumented immigrants in Texas.”

“Undocumented immigrant” is the immigration equivalent of “they/them.”

DHS has no interest in the left’s open borders pronouns. “Alien” is the technical legal term, and that is what DHS will use. “Illegal” is the only way to correctly describe lawbreakers.

Next thing you know… pic.twitter.com/MKEe1Z0oA3

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 20, 2025

“‘Undocumented immigrant’ is the immigration equivalent of ‘they/them,'” the post read. “DHS has no interest in the left’s open borders pronouns.”

“‘Alien’ is the technical legal term, and that is what DHS will use. ‘Illegal’ is the only way to correctly describe lawbreakers,” the post continued, adding as an afterthought, “Next thing you know you will be calling burglars ‘undocumented houseguests.'”

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Several people responded to the post comparing the headlines to what author George Orwell and scholar William Lutz referred to as “doublespeak” — a strategy that often employs the use of watered-down phrasing or euphemisms to make things that are objectively bad seem less so.

Lutz also spoke of using technical jargon ambiguity rather than common terminology or specific language in order to cloud the meanings of things one did not want the public to think about too deeply.

“Doublespeak poses a threat to the United States because it creates a buffer between what organizations are saying and what people are hearing,” Lutz explained in an interview.