327: What We Are Called: The Language That Keeps Immigrants Out

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Hyphenly; it's our no-fluff love letter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes! Link below https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com In this powerful solo episode of Immigrantly, host Saadia Khan shares why she is angry and why she is paying close attention to the words we use around immigration. Prompted by a recent ProPublica investigation by journalist Hannah Allam, Saadia explores how government agencies like ICE use terms like “removable,” “alien,” and “target” to strip immigrants of their humanity. From media narratives to political rhetoric, Saadia breaks down how language builds systems and why the shift in migrant demographics, especially the rise of families and children crossing the border, has triggered a more fear-based response in both policy and media. This episode is a reflection, a call-out, and a call-in because changing the language is the firs...