MSNBC Reporter Correct Over Immigration Term

MSNBC anchor Alex Witt corrected correspondent Priya Sridhar on-air Sunday after Sridhar used the term “illegal aliens” instead of “undocumented immigrants” while reporting on a law enforcement operation involving non-citizens in Colorado. The exchange took place during Alex Witt Reports, a weekend news program on the network.

During her report, Sridhar discussed the deployment of U.S. troops to El Paso, Texas, to assist in securing the border and processing individuals who crossed illegally. She then shifted focus to a raid conducted by multiple federal agencies in Colorado, which resulted in the arrest of 50 individuals suspected of gang-related criminal activity.

“I want you guys to take a look at this video that we saw just this morning from the DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security investigators out of the Rocky Mountain Field Division in Colorado,” Sridhar said. “There you can see a raid that was conducted this morning. They say that they were targeting a Venezuelan gang, and they were able to see cash, seize cash, weapons and actually made an arrest of ‘50 illegal aliens’ right there, Alex.”

Witt immediately interjected to correct Sridhar, saying, “Yes, we call them undocumented immigrants. But that, again, was in the release from the DEA. Okay. Thank you very much, Priya, for that from El Paso.”

The terminology used to refer to individuals who enter or remain in the country without legal authorization has been a subject of debate for years. The term “illegal alien” is found in U.S. immigration law, but some news organizations, including The Associated Press and MSNBC, have opted for “undocumented immigrant,” arguing that the former carries a negative connotation. Others maintain that “illegal alien” is the legally accurate term and reject “undocumented” as an attempt to soften the language surrounding unlawful entry.

The raid referenced in the report took place in Aurora, Colorado, and targeted alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization with a growing presence in the United States. Federal agencies reported the seizure of firearms, cash, and other illicit materials in connection with the operation.

The debate over language in immigration policy has also extended to political figures. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emphasized the use of “illegal aliens” as the correct statutory term. In a press briefing, he stated, “The federal government has made clear that the statutory term is not ‘undocumented immigrants’; they’re illegal aliens. That’s the statutory term and that’s what it is.” He further argued that using “undocumented” incorrectly implies a minor paperwork issue rather than a legal violation.

The Trump administration previously reinforced the use of “illegal alien” in official documents, stating that it aligned with the language in federal statutes. In contrast, the Biden administration has preferred “noncitizen” or “undocumented immigrant” in executive branch communications, reflecting a shift in policy tone.

Ron DeSantis weighed in on this, too and wasn’t shy about it. At a press conference, DeSantis was asked about “undocumented immigrants,” and DeSantis was quick to correct him, saying, “The federal government has made clear that the statutory term is not undocumented immigrants; they’re illegal aliens. That’s the statutory term, and that’s what it is.”

“Undocumented, it’s like if I get in my car and I forget my wallet. Oh, okay, I don’t have my document on me, my driver’s license. But I still have a right to drive. I just made a mistake. This is intentional to come in illegally, and it’s not just the question of missing a document. It’s a question of, you know, you violated the laws that were very clear, and knowingly, and with the help of the cartels in many cases,” He continued.

The legal status of individuals who enter the U.S. without authorization remains a contentious issue, particularly in the context of border security and criminal activity. Federal agencies continue to conduct operations targeting transnational gangs, drug trafficking networks, and other illegal activities linked to non-citizen populations. Meanwhile, media outlets and political leaders remain divided on the terminology used to describe such individuals, with the debate showing no signs of resolution.