JRS/USA Statement on White House “Aliens” Website
29 May 2026|Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
JRS/USA Statement on White House “Aliens” Website
Washington, D.C. — May 2026 — Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s launch of a White House webpage using the term “aliens” to describe non-U.S. citizens.
The statement addresses concerns about dehumanizing language in immigration discourse, the importance of human dignity, and the impact that public rhetoric can have on migrants, refugees, and broader society.
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This afternoon, in response to the Trump Administration’s launch of an official whitehouse.gov page equating non-U.S. citizens with extraterrestrials, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Outreach Bridget Cusick gave the following statement:
Words matter. The language we use to describe one another shapes how we see each other, how we treat each other, and ultimately the kind of society we live in.
There’s a saying that there is “nothing new under the sun,” and certainly nothing on this demented web page – on the White House’s official site – is the least bit creative. Throughout history, dehumanizing language has been used to put distance between people and reduce entire groups to labels so that we stop seeing them as fellow human beings with hopes, dreams, talents, rights, and people who love them. And in some of the darkest chapters of the 20th century, neighbors were encouraged to report on neighbors, as this web page encourages Americans to do.
Every person possesses inherent dignity regardless of their nationality or immigration status. We can have principled disagreements about aspects of immigration policy. But our shared humanity is not up for debate.
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA is part of Jesuit Refugee Service International, serving refugees and other forcibly displaced people in more than 50 countries. Dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced people, JRS provides education, livelihoods support, emergency assistance, mental health and psychosocial support services, and more to individuals and communities worldwide. www.jrsusa.org.
For Media Inquiries:
Syeda Abbas, JRS/USA Media Relations Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did JRS/USA issue a statement about the White House “Aliens” website?
JRS/USA issued this statement because the language used to describe migrants and non-U.S. citizens shapes public attitudes and can influence how individuals and communities are treated. JRS/USA believes every person possesses inherent dignity regardless of nationality or immigration status.
What is Jesuit Refugee Service/USA’s position on immigration policy?
JRS/USA supports policies that uphold human dignity, protect refugees and asylum seekers, preserve family unity, and respect the rights of people who have been forced to flee their homes. The organization advocates for policies grounded in human dignity and international protection principles.
Does JRS/USA oppose all immigration enforcement?
No. JRS/USA recognizes that nations establish immigration laws and policies. The organization advocates for approaches that respect human dignity, protect vulnerable populations, preserve family unity, and uphold fundamental human rights.
What does JRS/USA do?
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA is part of the global Jesuit Refugee Service network, serving refugees and other forcibly displaced people in more than 55 countries. JRS provides education, livelihoods support, emergency assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, advocacy, and accompaniment to individuals and communities affected by displacement.
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