Under pressure from several pro-immigrant groups, the Library of Congress has decided to bar the use of the words “illegal” and “alien,” choosing instead “noncitizens” and “unauthorized immigration” in its subject headings.

“In response to constituent requests, the Policy and Standards Division of the Library of Congress, which maintains Library of Congress Subject Headings, has thoroughly examined and discussed the status of the headings ‘Aliens’ and Illegal aliens.’ PSD has determined that the heading ‘Aliens’ should be revised to ‘Noncitizens.’ The heading ‘Illegal aliens’ will be cancelled and replaced by two headings, ‘Noncitizens’ and ‘Unauthorized immigration,’ which may be assigned together to describe resources about people who are in a country illegally,” said the library.