When you label someone an "illegal alien" or "illegal immigrant" or just plain "illegal," you are effectively saying the individual, as opposed to the actions the person has taken, is unlawful. The terms imply the very existence of an unauthorized migrant in America is criminal.
The term "illegal immigrant" was first used in 1939 as a slur by the British toward Jews who were fleeing the Nazis and entering Palestine without authorization.
They should be referred to as "Undocumented"
Would "undocumented alien" satisfy your penchant for proper terminology? Because immigration to the US requires certain documentation, documentation that has not been done. The result is that illegal aliens - citizens of a foreign country that are in the US illegally - are NOT immigrants.
The idea that a person can somehow be illegal is ridiculous - the (very) obvious conclusion is that it is the actions of that person are illegal. Personally I expect even a liberal to recognize that simple fact and live with it, but if the terminology offends you then you might come up with something more properly descriptive. But anything with "immigrant" in it isn't the answer as it describes an action that did not occur.
Well damn! I knew there was a reason I try to stick with illegal alien in these type of discussions. I just hadn't analyzed it from your perspective Wilderness. Makes sense to me.
GA
Don't you mean , in YOUR humble opinion ? Illegal Immigrant is pretty plain English , they are immigrants arriving illegally . Your P.C. problem with that is that it implies that they shouldn't be freely allowed access to citizenship at any time simply because they are here .
Ignore the written law all you want , they are still illegals.
Ah, you get my point! Excellent!
By labeling them Illegal Immigrant is to implant in your brain that they are wetbacks!
Most arrive legally, then the visas run out.
See how that works. Thank you for understanding.
45 percent of undocumented immigrants came here on a legal visa, and then overstayed that visa.
Many of our ancestors didn't actually come here through federal "legal" channels – there weren't restrictive federal immigration laws in place at the time
"until the 1870's, the federal government did virtually nothing to restrict immigration to the United States. In most cases, immigrants who arrived to the United States in search of work or a new life simply settled in the country and became citizens after a period of time.
Our country must pass immigration reform laws to ensure the rule of law in the United States, while simultaneously ensuring that the laws that rule are responsive to our economy's demand for labor, rooted in the reunification of family, and respectful of the humanity of the immigrants in our midst. " - http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ … egally.cfm
How dare YOU call them wetbacks ? Then your article is done in prejudice , it's not my response . If I used a gun in a crime is the gun an illegal gun ? No. I did the illegal deed , same with crossing the border illegally , the border isn't illegal , I am . We are in a new era where open borders are a thing of the past , ask Mexico about their southern border , ask Mexico what it takes to immigrate there .
Don't like immigration law , work to change them ? Don't like the impending wall , turn your attention span elsewhere to another activist cause , that's what liberals usually do . But don't ignore the laws of the land.
Obviously, you don't understand. 40% of undocumented people in USA came over in a plane, the visa ran out. they never returned. Thanks for playing.
One thing that I do know , having been around since the beginning of alt-liberals in the sixties ; Is that they bend ,twist , alter and utilize , facts ,statistics , numbers and history to fit the needs of the present P.C. cause . So throw all the "statistics " you want , it is common sense and far more honesty than the new liberals are capable of that determine what the one truth is .
Take off the rose colored glasses.
alt-liberals?
Is that like alt-white?
_________________________________________
What I do understand is the appeal of untestable beliefs and how they lead to a polarized society.
The slippery way by which folks deny facts that contradict their beliefs and then reframe the data in untestable ways. This makes potential important facts and science ultimately irrelevant to the issue.
Individuals, groups, or nations who live in the world of deep denial are practically untouchable by reality or rational argument. They go through their daily lives secure in the knowledge that their self-image is protected against any information, feelings, or awareness that might make them have to change their view of the world. Nothing--not facts, not observable behavior; not the use of reason, logic, or the evidence of their own senses will make them reevaluate that world view.
82 percent of those who say they supported Trump last year would vote for him again if they had to do it over.
You just can't make any sense in debates can you ?
Especially without cutting and pasting your Face Book facts -photos.
I don't have to make sense when dealing with somebody who says
97.3% of all statistics are made up. - ahorseback (self-unware)
by ga anderson 9 years ago
I heard a recent NPR, (National Public Radio), news story today that was presented in their own special Politically Correct way.I know that some folks think the term "illegal immigrant" is too mean for those poor folks just trying to find a better life for themselves, (and possibly...
by ngureco 13 years ago
As An Illegal Immigrant In United States, Will They Provide Me With Health Care?
by karl 11 years ago
Should we stop using the term "Illegal immigrant"?The Associated Press has dropped the use of the term "illegal immigrant," but it's unclear whether lawmakers in Washington will do the same? (USNEWS)
by Elynjo 15 years ago
Hoopla. Most of the people these days are trying so hard to be politically correct and refused to call a person who entered the United States illegally an "Illegal Alien" for fear of being branded as "racist". For me, if you're illegal, you are illegal. No sugar coating, no...
by Eric Dierker 10 years ago
I cannot find a group that supports illegal immigration. Yet we cannot stop it. Now that is pathetic. So we must conclude that without saying it, some - many in America support it and do what they can to stop control of it. It would seem that this should be a target for midterm elections. Who does...
by Angela Kendrick 9 years ago
Should all undocumented immigrants be deported?I recently read an article where the author quoted an Arizona woman whose police officer son was killed by an undocumented Mexican immigrant with a prior criminal history who had never been deported. The woman who was the subject of the article,...
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