The Library of Congress will no longer use the heading "illegal aliens" in bibliographic records, thanks to a request from Dartmouth College students.Working with library staff at the Ivy League school, members of a Dartmouth coalition for immigration reform petitioned the Library of Congress in 2014 to replace the subject heading with a more accurate and less offensive term.Officials concluded that the meaning of "aliens" is often misunderstood and should be replaced with "noncitizens," and that the phrase "illegal aliens" has become pejorative. The heading "illegal aliens" is intended to be replaced by "noncitizens" and "unauthorized immigration."The Library of Congress subject headings index is used by libraries around the world.Get the WMUR app12967056

The Library of Congress will no longer use the heading "illegal aliens" in bibliographic records, thanks to a request from Dartmouth College students.

Working with library staff at the Ivy League school, members of a Dartmouth coalition for immigration reform petitioned the Library of Congress in 2014 to replace the subject heading with a more accurate and less offensive term.


Officials concluded that the meaning of "aliens" is often misunderstood and should be replaced with "noncitizens," and that the phrase "illegal aliens" has become pejorative. The heading "illegal aliens" is intended to be replaced by "noncitizens" and "unauthorized immigration."

The Library of Congress subject headings index is used by libraries around the world.