Bill would replace ‘alien’ with ‘noncitizen’ in Washington law

The word “alien” will soon be replaced with “noncitizen” in Washington state law under legislation advanced by the Washington State Senate.

“Language has evolved in other areas of law and policy,” said state Rep. My-Linh Thai.

She immigrated to Washington state as a Vietnamese refugee with her family at the age of 15. “When laws avoid pejorative terms, our residents may be more willing to engage with government institutions, including our courts and public schools.”

House Bill 2632 would update terminology in state and local statutes, codes, rules and official documents enacted after July 1, 2026. The measure would not change immigration status definitions, enforcement authority or eligibility for public programs. Legal categories would remain the same, with only the wording revised.

“The language we use matters,” Thai said. “It shapes public trust, how people experience government, and how government sees the people of our state.”