Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Ezra Wohlgelernter released the following statement in reaction to the aliens.gov website recently launched by the White House. At first glance, the website appears to be about extraterrestrials, but tracks arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, using inflammatory language to talk about immigrants.
Throughout history, governments and political movements have sought to justify harsh treatment of vulnerable populations by first changing the language used to describe them. When human beings are reduced to labels, stereotypes, or objects, it becomes easier to disregard their rights, dignity, and individuality.”