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"Drop the i-word" is a campaign to stop using the word "illegal" in the immigration discussion.
Whenever I write stories about illegal immigrants, I receive complaints that I should “drop the ‘i’ word” (which is also the name of a campaign to end the use of the term “illegal” when referring to illegal immigrants).
We like this story but drop the "I" word. fb.me/11K0PEMt5
— Latino Rebels (@latinorebels) June 19, 2012
In the interest of bringing this debate into the open, we solicited a few short opinion pieces from leading voices on immigration issues. We also asked the co-editor of the AP Stylebook, a key arbiter of word usage for journalists, to share his thoughts.
And we hope you weigh in in the comment section, too. What’s your take on the phrase “illegal immigrant”?
Word games
By Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington think tank that supports tighter immigration controls:
Courtesy of Mark Krikorian
Mark Krikorian is the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington think tank that supports tighter immigration controls.
"When the facts are against you, argue the law. When the law is against you, argue the facts. When both the law and the facts are against you, pound on the table."
This rule of thumb for lawyers has been adopted by the pro-illegal immigration crowd. The facts are against them: 11 million illegal aliens cause a host of serious problems for job seekers, for taxpayers, for public order, for national security.
Likewise, the law is against them. There's no question that immigration laws are legitimate and that every illegal immigrant knows perfectly well that he is breaking American law.
What's left? Pound on the table, demanding that illegal aliens be referred to in ways that obscure their illegality, such as "undocumented worker" or simply "immigrant." "Unauthorized worker" is less deceitful, but still evades the basic fact of illegality.
The most accurate label for non-citizens who are in the United States without permission is "illegal alien." It is used repeatedly in statutes, judicial rulings, and executive orders and captures the essence of the person's situation: an alien is defined in the U.S. Code as "any person not a citizen or national of the United States," and their presence here is illegal, i.e., in violation of the law.
"Illegal immigrant" is less precise: "immigrant" has the specific legal meaning of a foreigner who has been granted lawful permanent residence (a green card). But in common usage "immigrant" means any foreigner living here, so "illegal immigrant" is less formal, but still accurate.
Why terminology about the immigrant matters
By Kevin R. Johnson, a Mexican-American who is dean of the UC Davis School of Law and Mabie Apallas professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies:
Courtesy of UC Davis
Kevin R. Johnson is a Mexican-American who is the dean of the UC Davis School of Law, and Mabie Apallas professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies.
A little over a generation ago, the popular press, and people in polite company, referred to African Americans as Negroes. Times have changed and the media now refers to African Americans. The “science” of racial categories changed and social sensibilities did too.
A modern terminological debate, also with civil rights implications, has perplexed many: how should the press refer to noncitizens without proper authorization under the U.S. immigration laws?
Advocates of greater immigration enforcement and tighter immigration laws generally support the use of terms such as “illegal aliens,” “illegal immigrants,” or simply “illegals.” (There are other pejorative terms used by partisans in the immigration debate, such as “anchor babies,” but let us leave those labels aside for now). These are loaded terms that are, for the most part, nowhere to be found in the comprehensive federal immigration law, the Immigration & Nationality Act. I say loaded because these terms equate the unauthorized immigrant with a criminal when the person may not have committed a crime at all. Still, the reference to “illegal” instantly suggests that the person is undeserving of sympathy but in fact deserves punishment. Not surprisingly, advocates who favor harsh treatment for immigrants support the use of terms and rhetoric that support their restrictionist positions.
The “illegal” terminology obscures an even more troubling characteristic. Somewhere around 60-70 percent of today’s unauthorized immigrants are from Mexico and Central America. “Illegal aliens” in many instances can serve as a kind of racial code for Latinos. People can speak of wanting to remove “illegal aliens” from the country with legitimacy while they could not argue for the removal of all Latinos.
A responsible and independent media should want to avoid using terms supporting one side in the culture wars, especially when those terms mask racial animus. There are readily available neutral synonyms for “illegals,” such as undocumented immigrant and unauthorized immigrant, which do not carry discriminatory baggage.
Guidance for journalists
By David Minthorn, deputy standards editor of The Associated Press:
Courtesy of David Minthorn
David Minthorn is the deputy standards editor of The Associated Press.
The Associated Press recognizes that immigration may involve complex and emotional issues. Accordingly, AP newswriting emphasizes the use of precise, balanced and neutral terms.
To describe individuals who may be living in a country without authorization, The AP Stylebook rules out using "illegal alien" and "illegals" in AP news reports. The language may be unnecessarily harsh as generic description.
The Stylebook also rules out using the term "undocumented" on our own in immigration contexts. This description may tend to minimize what could be a matter of civil or criminal law, such as evading border controls or residing without legal permission. "Undocumented" also suggests that the problem is a minor one of missing paperwork, when the people involved are in jeopardy of arrest, deportation or other sanctions.
Instead, AP provides for a variety of different terms for people alleged to be violating immigration law. One option for AP reporters is "illegal immigrant," a term added to the Stylebook in 2004.
As the Stylebook entry (below) indicates, other terms are acceptable, including "living in the country without legal permission," depending on the specific situation. AP does not insist on "illegal immigrant" as the only acceptable term.
illegal immigrant: Used to describe someone who has entered a country illegally or who resides in a country in violation of civil or criminal law. Acceptable variations include living in the country without legal permission. Use of these terms, as with any terms implying illegalities, must be based on reliable information about a person's true status. Unless quoting someone, AP does not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or the term undocumented.
Related stories from msnbc.com and NBC News:
California bar: Illegal immigrant should get law license
Can an illegal immigrant become a lawyer?
Obama administration won't seek deportation of young illegal immigrants
Skepticism, joy among illegal immigrants over Obama decision
Obama immigration order poses dilemma for eligible illegal immigrants
Leave a Comment:
Let's call a spade a spade, if you're in the county without authorization, you have illegally crossed the border. Yes, you are an illegal immigrant. If that hurts someone's feelings then there is a process one can go through, as my grandparents and millions of others did, that allows you legal entry into this country. We are a nation of laws. I am bound to follow them, as is every citizen of this country. Why do we turn a blind eye to those who are not citizens and openly state their trespass of our laws?
Political correctness will be the downfall of america.
IamSpraticus- You are right. You can not go through life only obeying the laws you want to. And make excuses for the ones you break.
Correction Brenden, it already is the downfall of this country. That and the BHL's that don't want to hurt someone's feelings by calling them illegal. I guess we can call all rapists not rapists but people that commit "crimes of passion". Would that make you libs feel better?
illegal immigrant do not belong in the same sentence.an immigrant is a alien addmitted to the united states as a lawful permanent resident. an alien is any person who is not a citizen or national of the united states. everyone thinks if they use this phrase long enough it will catch on because it sounds better. they have broken the law get out. it pisses me of to no end to know what my parents had to do to come here legally
Would you call a convicted felon just out of jail a "reformed individual"? A child molester a "youth enthusiast"? A terrorist a "freedom fighter from another land"? No.
Fact is no matter how you want to call someone illegally staying in the US...... they are breaking US laws to be here. Overstayed your visa = illegal. Crossed the border to have a baby = illegal. Crossed the border to work without a visa = illegal. Crossed the border and decided to stay without paperwork = illegal. It's all breaking the laws folks.
I despise the PC liberals for wanting to dilute the issue into name calling. Complete BS! They would be the first to cry foul if they lost their job to an "undocumented worker" whom could/would do their job for less. They piss and moan that their taxes go up, but don't worry about the costs of illegal immigration. They want us all to pay more taxes (except for them) so that all the illegal immigrants can have their "rights" (aka- services) covered by the government.
If they REALLY wanted immigration reform, then why not legislate it?!?! They've had many opportunities in DC to do it, but they don't. Now the President is closing a number of border patrol stations, thus making our borders more porous. Now the DOJ is suing states to stop enforcing existing US immigration laws. It's clear that they are undermining our entire immigration process for political pandering. If they were to solve it, it might not get them the votes next election.
Here's how you fix immigration: 1. Close the borders (I mean send the National Guard south and really close them, build the fence, etc.), 2. Give illegals here 6 months to walk into INS offices and get themselves registered as temporary workers- if they fail to do so and get caught- deport them, 3. Do background checks on the registered immigrants and deport those with ANY criminal pasts, 4. Put LEGAL immigrants at the front of the line and push them forward on getting citizenship if they want it, 5. The newly registered workers get on the Social Security, unemployment, etc. rolls as brand new workers- NO reciprocity for any time they worked here illegally, 6. The newly registered workers get legal jobs, thus start paying their income taxes. That's how you do it.
You forgot a step after this one.
2. Watch the U.S. economy shrivel up and die. Watch the gas prices sky rocket at the pump as our 3rd largest trading partner decides we are no longer a viable interest.
I say it like it is, illegal alien. They're not just undocumented, and they're not immigrants either. Because hopefully we'll catch them, then deport them. I cannot understand why people who break my country's laws get rewarded these days while I live within the rules but get punished for it.
Tam-you don't know what you are talking about. When our economy is dependent on Mexico to stay afloat, we are already on our way out. So every country on this planet can uphold their laws on immigration except for the US? What utter and complete crap.
Once you control the border you can run a guest worker program that gets us the cheap labor we want and lets the workers go home to their families once in a while without the fear of having sneak back across. Less motivation to bring their kids that we have to educate, they're above board so they're less likely to get into crime. I'd say no minimum wage but also no income tax, etc on them. Fair tradeoff in my book.
paul frederick thats odd im frederick paul. any way the laws on the books already state the a person may not benefit from breaking the law no book deals selling your story to to the getting worse by the day media etc so why why should any one who comes here illegally benifit in any way shape or form. arrest warrants for all polititions who allow illegals to stay. aidding and abedding harboring fugitives they should not be above the law. joe blow lets someone whos wanted stay at his house his azz is going to jail.
Why do conservatives and liberals use those labels as swear words, when we are all Americans? I'm a registered Independent because I hold both liberal and conservatives views (and have been since I was 18), depending on the topic. I voted for the President, but now I think it was a mistake. His environmental policy sucks, and this backdoor amnesty for kids has got to go. Laws are the ONLY glue that holds us together as a country, but they must be enforced...and not selectively. I just want a President who enforces the law...I mean that is their mandate, other than national defense. I think people forget how the Gov't is supposed to work sometimes...Congress makes the laws, the President enforces them (as they are written), and the USSC (I hate SCOTUS...too much like scrotum) decides their constitutionality. Very simple...let's get back to that now. No legislating from the bench, no congressional police (unless checking the Executive), no Presidential law or interpretation thereof.
The name change game is just an expansion of a tactic the LGBT employs in an attempt to lend an appearance of acceptability to that which led to the collapse of every civilization that came before us. Rather than learn from their mistakes these miscreants are employing the same "who are you going to believe; me, or your damn lying eyes?" strategy that the Obama administration is pimping as truth.
If these groups truly thought what they were doing was acceptable they would not be demanding it be called what it is not.
If you rob a bank,. no one calls YOU illegal.
No one calls you "undocumented customer" either, they do still call you a criminal and a law-breaker though and you still get served justice when you are caught.
Now, now, dont start that "hate" speech around here bub. We all know that we are all the same. No one is different. There are no immigrants because we are all one big family. We all make the same money, we all spend it the same way, we all do the same things. Wow, King Obama's Socialism is great - isnt it?
If we are all "the same", why do we need 9 billion of us on this planet?
The irony here is that it is exactly what bin Laden was referred to while fending off the Russians when we gave him a bunch of weapons in the 80's.
I wouldn't say it if that was not a fact.
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/top/top1205yr.html
And I said nothing about not upholding our immigration laws. The post was about sealing the border, something that is not even possible economically, it would completely collapse our way of life. Would we survive? Sure, that is what we do, but it would take generations for a full recovery.
Oil is a global commodity that is expensive, but not scarce. If Mexico refused to sell to us, they would sell the oil instead to another country They can't afford not to see their oil somewhere. That other country would then purchase less oil from global markets, which we would then step in and purchase.
In other words, you're probably a pragmatic moderate, not bound to a rigid idealogy. Unfortunately, in today's politcal climate (and especially within the GOP), "moderate" is the most severe swear word that can be applied to anyone.
Not sure, but I don't think Illegal Mmigrant looks right!
Ready for a fresh look at illegal immigration.....start enforcing the law's we have, and kick the illegal immigrants out of the country and let Mexico or whatever country they're from, put them all to work in their own country. We have 12 to 20 million American's out of work right now and they need jobs. I'm sure they'll be willing to do anything to get a paycheck to feed their kid's or save their home. People are sick and tired of "illegal immigrants" using gov't services paid for with our tax dollars and if you want to legalize 12 to 20 million undocumented workers just think, they will be eligible for Social Security in 10 years (or 40 quarters) and reap the benefits we American's have been working our entire life for and will be lucky to even get after the illegals have drained the system dry. Round 'em up and kick 'em out. NO ILLEGALS AND NO NIGHTMARE ACT...EVER!!
Yes! 4th grade level Mexicans can easily replace nuclear scientists. Home Depot carries all the necessary items for splitting the atom.
Illegal means 'ILLEGAL'.. Leave it in.
So if you commit any crime, should YOU be called illegal?
When you're given a speeding ticket, are you an illegal driver?
Bart, when you commit any crime, you are now a criminal. As defined by US law, illegal immigration is a federal crime, so would you prefer the term "criminal immigrant"? Because they committed a crime as defined by US law when they came into this country illegally. Speeding on the other hand is a violation, not a criminal misdemeanor or felony. You're argument is moot.
Bart, criminal, is a matter of when. Any immigrant who is here illegally doesn't cease to be here illegally until they become legal or leave. A driver who speeds is a criminal until such a point when they are no longer speeding and are driving within the law. Your argument is weak. Any others?
As a person who followed the legal immigration route, I am offended by the illegal aliens who try to bypass the law and those who support them.
People try to turn the argument into a race issue. It has nothing to do with race or where you come from. The fact is that the people are here illegally; they can be blue and that fact doesn't change.
I, too, disagree that they should be called immigrants. I view immigrants as those who come into the country legally.
It's time to start thinking about how to deport all these "illegal alien/invaders". If at every opportunity you enforce the law and deport "illegal aliens" from jobs, schools, and whenever they have contact with law enforcement, the word would get around and sooner rather than later self deportation would start occuring. The law is the law and sneaking in here or being here "illegally" is against the law. I wish I could pick and chose which laws I wanted to be enforced against me and you, but the fact is if you or I break the law, you or I have to pay a fine and/or penalty.
I didn't write the laws, I didn't write the constitution, I didn't even ask "illegal invaders" to invade my country, but I expect the laws to be enforced equally whether I like it or not. I don't care if your an "illegal alien", space alien, or alien alien, if you're here "illegally", it's time to go back home. It's like "La Cucaracha" is popping out little "La Cucaracha's" until you can't get rid of them. How many of these people they counted are "illegal aliens" or anchor kids born to "illegal aliens" or both. It's time to stop the invasion of "illegals now, right now while we still can!!
NO AMNESTY, NO AMNESTY, NO AMNESTY and NO NIGHTMARE ACT and boycott all "illegal aliens", all anchor babies, all chain migration, and all anything "illegal".
well if we are no longer calling a spade a spade and not enforcing our laws, does that mean i can break into trumps house and squat there? since breaking into a place for "a better life" is noble, i want a better life and i dont want to be called a squatter or burgler how about something nice and neutral like unauthorized resident. yeah, i want to be an unauthorized resident of trumps house, and i want to be treated better than him and have no laws apply to me or have to pay any bills while i am there but i get to make all the calls on his tab. sounds like a better life for me
it should stay illegal, that is what they are and what they are doing!!
They need to change it. Some combination of 'Criminal', 'Scumbag' and 'POS' in whatever order works best.
Illegal means against the LAW. If you come into my country with out a LEGAL VISA you are ILLEGAL. there is no being politically correct. You are a criminal you broke our laws you came here ILLEGALLY end of story.
They should drop the "i" word... the second one that is.
A bank robber is no more an illegal "customer" than a border violator is an illegal "immigrant".
Immigrants want to be a part of the place they immigrate to and the first step is going there lawfully, border violators are seeking what is simply best for their own personal situation with a total disregard to the impact on the nation they are entering.
The correct term should be criminal immigrant, because they committed a crime when they entered the US illegally.
@ Mike - Maybe they should call it criminal alien.
Agree completely, illegal is illegal! There is a process to gain legal status. I heard on the news last night that police asking for citizenship proof is violating civil rights, excuse me but when you are breaking the law and also in this country illegally, why do you get to scream civil rights? As for the children of these people who were born in this country, the cry that the government is doing something wrong by deporting the illegal parents is ridiculous! The parents are the ones who broke the law and it is the parent's fault that the kids are in this situation!! I am so sick of seeing the kids being used to make the government look bad for enforcing the law. You kids need to be talking to your parents about what they did to you not the us government!!!Your parents broke the law and put you in this situation not the american government so quit blaming the wrong person. Just because you are born american and your parents are illegal immigrants does not mean that you have to stay here while your parents go back to mexico! They can take you with them! Or they can choose to leave you here, it is the parents choice not the governments fault!!!!!
We should drop the "lliegal status when they go through the process to become citizens. How many other countrys allow you to walk across the border and get free medical, welfare, prison accomodations and schooling? None.
This is BS by liberals in America who have bankrupted many states like California.......
Except for all of Europe
REALLY,
I live in Europe and the laws are not as easy or simple as you imply. If so the give me a source other than my local RatHaus which has the laws available..
All of Europe, try being more specific , east, west , north, south central, but you state All of Europe. Hmm I am not aware of that fact, give me some link.
Exactly.
And we hear everyday how great the economic stability is in Europe.
it is a high time to let know both presidential candidates enough is enough and put end to the legal loop hole of crowning, the babies born to illegal immigrant moms, as BORN CITIZENSHIP OF OUR COUNTRY! THEY SHOULD CARRY CITZENSHIP OF THEIR MOM AND DEPORTED JUST AS THEIR PARENTS WOULD BE. This is one of the largely used ways of acquiring legal status and get free medical, welfare, schooling and prison accomodations to take a large bite of our economy!
Libs BK CA?!?!?
Not entirely accurate Todd. Whether you can stroll over a European country's border depends on where you're coming from. If you're from the US or another EU nation, no problem. If you're from Russia for example, dang it you need a visa. My wife, who is Russian, needed a visa to visit the UK for work. Guess what, she would have been ILLEGAL otherwise and faced charges. Also, have you looked at say, Britians immigrant policy? Sorry, you just don't walk in and set up shop.
Medical care, if you have an emergency in the US you will be treated.
Here, this will help clear up your misinformation:
So even Europe requires you be in the country legally. Try again.
Here is another reason I wouldn't be using Europe as a role model:
The EU is trying to tell the UK how to operate. No wonder their economies are failing.
Todd, you still need to show proof of identification when traveling through Europe from country to country, so they know who is in the country. Enter a European country without a passport and you will likely windup in jail.
the difference is that you cannot vote in Europe without being a citizen. here, anyone can vote as no identification is required, according to the DOJ
Probably I am mis-informed but you need to register and prove you are eligible to vote. How can an illegal immigrant just walk-in to a voting precint and vote ? You need to be a US citizen to vote on National Elections and at least legal permanent resident for local elections.
Something needs to be standardized across the nation otherwise the people manning the polling places need to be trained as to who can vote. Simple as it is, prove you are a citizen by Passport, Certified Birth Certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, etc.
Utility bills, credit card bills, library cards do not prove you are a citizen.
We are a nation of laws. The law says we have a policy of being there for other peoples to come in to seek the dream that was America. The term illegal is a true one however. We have ways to become a citizen,and simply crossing a border in the dead of night is NOT one. They do commit a crime by simply doing this..it is a felony.These people seldom come here for anything other than to earn monies that they send and spend in their home country; they do not want citizenship. Political correctness aside...for that is no excuse;let us get real and say what it is. If it quacks like a duck,looks like a duck; it probably is a duck.Illegal is illegal. I understand the reasons for their coming here, but even in mexico they lock up, deport, and are truly cruel to those who do what they themselves are doing here.
yopu only have to be in the EU legally if your white- if your any other shade of human you get a free pass because "you just want a better life" and can scam amnesty etc for pretty much ever
if "crap" was called "cake" instead of crap, it would still be the same thing (crap), just with a different name.
for the life of me i will never understand why securing the borders and getting ALL the people out that don't belong here ISN'T priority 1 (or 1a) for our govt.
Because people are short sighted and like cheep goods. Because businesses are disloyal to their country and like cheep labor. We should be shipping off the "illegals" but we also need some attitude adjustment on our own part. Our love of cheep crap is what got our jobs outsourced and the southern half of our country overrun with uninvited guests. Gotta call a spade a spade folks...
i don't disagree, but what you're saying is just another example that our govt is incapable of doing its' job correctly. besides deporting people that shouldn't be here, business owners that provide jobs to ILLEGALS should get crushed with fines and jail time should be part of the punishment as well depending on the severity--at a minimum they are evading taxes, and i'm sure there are many other "infractions" that could be tacked on top in many cases.
the laws are already in place--THEY NEED TO BE ENFORCED!
I could stop the problem in a NY minute. Simple. Anyone employing illegal aliens gets fined. Lets say $1,000. Now Anyone reporting said employer will get 1/2 the fine. The phones would be on fire, no jobs available within 2 months, and the federal defict would be halved.
sebrad, good analogy. A wise old southern man once told me another I think applies here "You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig".
Mexico's immigration laws are far more severe than ours. If its called illegal in Mexico, than its illegal here as well. However, to be politically-correct... maybe we should call them trespassers. While we are at it, let's rename pedophiles...just child lovers...that won't be near as offensive to that group as well.
Semantics are precisely that, semantics.
Ying vs. Yang
Hot vs. cold
Legal vs. illegal
I`ll keep using the current definition of the act of breaking a law which is an illegal behaviour.
Only a lawyer would argue otherwise, right Mr. Johnson?
Illegal is a sick bird. The proper semantic would be Criminal. But criminal immigrant doesn't have much of a ring to it.
its also a oxymoron since "immigrant" is a legal recognition. Criminal Migrant would be closer to truth.
or perhaps, Criminal Alien...
Just more PC crap. If you don't like the handle, go home and come back the LEGAL way.
The first thing to go when promoting a bad idea is honest language. That is why we hear ethnic cleansing instead of mass murder. We hear revenue enhancement instead of taxes.
Note preowned rather than used. Beware of the forked tongue speaker.
Agreed, SR71.
The AP figures that if they change the words, then they can get people to forget that Obama is supporting "persons in the country without proper documentation" and he will get reelected.
Leave the word "illegal" in. If they're not here legally then they are "ILLEGAL" and deserve to be treated as such and labeled as such!
Do I find it offensive? No. Even if I did, who cares? It's just a word not the end of life as we know it. Stop being so politically correct people.
Drop the "I" word? Sure. We can call them unlawful, criminal or non-legal aliens. How's that? The only way the "I" word should be eliminated is by becoming legal immigrants (it's been done a couple times from what I've heard) or returning to their country of origin.
This article and the fact that this is even an issue is so incredibly disappointing to me. Im disappointed in people for thinking they can break the law and live off taxpayers money (send their kids to school, use our roads and enjoy the safety and shelter that America offers, take jobs here, use the hospitals here with probably no insurance...etc), and then have the audacity to demand that we not call them by what they are: ILLEGAL!!!! Im disappointed that people who PAY taxes cant see that this is wrong, and go out of their way to try to shelter these illegals. Thats what they are! They are breaking the law!!! What ever happened to honesty and integrity and working for what you have? The government just makes it too easy to sit on your ass and live off the people who actually do work. It makes me sick.
Tina I absolutely agree with your sentiment....as for....
Consider where the fence jumpers come from...Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nigeria, Haiti, Cuba, China, India etc....they come here from countries that have no regard or respect for their own laws and so they will have no regard for our laws. Consider the education level, economic level of the squatters in America....truly, those with an education and some money immigrate here legally and have an honest intent to contribute to our society. Consider those who get into bed with the drug lords, cartels and human traffickers have no intent to live by our laws then our laws need to increase the penalty for their transgressions. The President and his camp wish to step outside the law and make Presidential Decrees as if he has some "Royal" title in America.
It is time that we stop stepping back to study the problem and give our judicial system back their teeth. Many of these immigrants claim they are here to stay close to their family...make them follow the law and meet the standards of our immigration system and challenge their "family" to sponsor them and become responsible for them as the law requires.
As for the Presidential decree in encouraging youth who were illegally trafficked into our country to step up and receive the benefits of those who waited and came to participate in our society....There must be a consequence....If they stay they should be required to deliver the illegal members of their family to a border crossing or international airport with a ticket to their home country. They should understand that the people they are delivering will be documented upon their exit and NEVER allowed into the United States again....ineligible to ever cross into America again. After all a person who will encourage, pay for or condone or participate in the international human trafficking of children is not a person who will ever understand the value of citizenship in America. By their own corrupt actions they will have proven that they are certainly not worthy of our society.
Do you suppose that "bottom feeder" is a better term than "Illegal Immigrant"?
Since this is about the ap style guide, and not about what anyone is demanding, I am confused where this vitriol came from.
Ok, got to call you on that. You're out to lunch. Most of the kids on that list were brought here years ago by their illegal parents. Most of them have attended college or served in our military. Most bring at least something to the table to make them desirable. They are, however, still here illegally and should have to complete some sort of process. I think Obama's angle, and a lot of other Democrats, is that they didn't have any control over what their parents did and so far they themselves have done everything the right way. Kept their nose clean, got an education or served the country. I don't think you just toss them, but there should be some sort of process that they have to complete as a free ride isn't in order either. As for their parents, they should get a bus ticket at their own expense and a warning that they shouldn't try and visit the grandkids. For my fellow liberals who live on the bleeding heart side of things, no, this doesn't rob the grandkids. They should be taught their heritage by visiting grandma and grandpa in the country of their origin.
TamL...the vitriol comes from the fact that these bottom feeders, who should have no political influence in America, will march throughout American cities carrying foreign flags demanding their rights in America. '
Perhaps the AP style book should allow the term "bottom feeder" perhaps "fence jumper"as synonyms for illegal immigrant.
not sure about the rest of the countries you mentioned, but You got Cuba wrong. Cubans are not here illegally, Due to the Cuban Clause act, and political asylum, thet are legal immigrants.
Really "most" of them? How do you come to that realization without any data to support it? Some do serve in our military and for that they should have a priority to attain citizenship. It does not admonish their parents or family from participating in criminal human trafficking behavior. As for those attending college...to what end...they can attend college and then what? They won't take that education back to their home country and make a difference. Even if they were trafficked by their family and attend University they still do not have the documentation to work unless they claim they were trafficked as children. Why are States, mine included, willing to support the education of a child who was trafficked by their parents when they do not have the legal right to work in the State or Country. Isn't that just throwing good money down the drain rather it is supporting a heinous criminal action.
So if they truly wish to go to a US university, without claiming they were victimized by their families, they should comply with the same standards of Students from abroad and apply for a student visa from their home country. They were brought here as trafficked children it is time they do the right thing and assume some responsibility, even if they were raised by cretins who have no standards of decency with regard to children. Parents who traffic their children should be held to the same standard as criminal enterprises who thrive on human trafficking. Their possessions should be seized to pay law enforcement and ICE for doing their job. There is no reason children should benefit from their parents criminal behavior unless they are willing to admit they unwittingly or were coerced into the criminal act.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/TVPA_2000.pdf
The above is the policy for supporting victims of human trafficking it also enumerates the penalty for criminals who profit from or engage in human trafficking. I suppose that if we consider these people as a victim of international child trafficking then we must have a criminal attached to the status. The criminals would be those who paid traffickers or brought these children into the country from foreign jurisdiction...this should even include the parents of children who have abused their children by forcing them into an illegal status. By coercing them to remain quiet about their ordeal of illegal transit.
clare1...we may have the mechanism in place to offer green cards to Cubans but that does not mean that they all apply. One of the acceptances is that they have resided in the US for one year....so if they came and apply under that statute then it can be reasonable that they immigrated illegally and we just looked the other way. Perhaps with the changes occurring in Cuba today we should rescind the standards for Cubans and expect them to stand and fight for their own country or apply for entrance to the US as any other foreign national should.
So you admit it, it is a racist slur for you. Thank you for your honesty, I do hope you realize that not all illegal immigrants come from Mexico and South America. The fastest growing population of illegals comes from Asia.
TamL.....I didn't admit that it was a racist slur, there is nothing racist about those terms....many races of foreign nationals come to America without checking in at the border or overstaying the visas and feed off the public trust without a full legal right to participate in our society or following our laws....Perhaps you can clear up what race we are talking about because basically I don't discriminate between fence jumper based on race. I consider them their own little special interest group and don't understand why we must support the castoffs from a multiple of third world countries.
Do you truly understand what a racist slur is? You know when they used to call the Irish Mick or Germans Keik...those were slurs that were geared to point out a particular racial stereotype. Of course these slurs still go on...My daughter goes to a very diverse High School....I consider it a racial slur when a less than lovely young lady called her a Puta Gringa, just assuming that she spoke no Spanish. You would be surprised about the number of children of color, in 2012, who talk about white people like we are one culture without consideration that there are "white people" from many different cultures. Sadly even Hispanic children who talk about "white people" without realizing that they are actually considered a sub set of "white". So your lame attempt to label me is just wrong if you don't understand the term "Race".
The political correctness police are now attempting to banish the term illegal from our vocabulary when speaking about folks who have entered or reside in the country illegally.
Hmmmm.......
I love the word 'undocumented'. It's so pandering.
As in, 'Oh, you're undocumented. Don't worry dear, I'm sure the libs will correct that in due course. You know how inefficient government is.'
Newspeak is alive and well.
As a teacher of the novel 1984, I was thinking the exact same thing. Ha ha! Soon the masses will have no words to express ideas.
It's really very simple just say no to the liberal playbook. This is simply one of those situations when you have to stand up and say no! If you are in this country illegally you are a illegal criminal.
We might as well be debating the budget without using the word "debt." If guess if you're losing the argument, try to censor the other guy's words. Just another version of shouting someone down when you're losing the argument.
Hi dolt. I am a liberal and would never advocate for someone who is here illegally. You need a new talking point.
I think we should start at the top and work our way down. Vote out ALL politicians who support Illegals being allowed to stay in this country.
As for those of you talking about the Mexicans, Latinos,etc. while I'm sure they are a majority of illegals in some areas, the largest nationality of Illegals in the Boston area are of Irish descent. They are every bit as illegal as the Mexicans. Get rid of them all.
Require ALL children entering public school to have a birth certificate stating they were born in this country, or legal Immigration papers that state they and their parents are legally here.
NO child born in this country is an automatic citizen unless at least one of their parents is a legal citizen.
ALL companies hiring illegals to be fined $1000.00 per illegal employee.
Instead of politically correct, just substitue newspeak.
As The ILLEGAL Invasion of America via The Wide Open Mexican Border rolls on ...
Gee, It's pretty simple. Get your Green card, Visa or whatever is necessary to be in this country legally and we can drop the 'i' word.
Otherwise, you are breaking laws of this nation and are here ILLEGALLY. Don't snub your nose at our laws and expect royal treatment.
We say alleged bank robber. We should save the term illegal for those individuals who have been to court and have been found guilty.
Yeah but we are still getting the "bank robber" part of the message. I don't care if someone is an immigrant, thats fine, its the possible "illegal" aspect that is the point of concern.
15+ million "alleged" illegal immigrants
Get real buddy, they broke the law and our government will do nothing to protect it's citizens from these 3rd world greedy losers
@Jim
So, by your logic, stealing your car wouldn't be "illegal" unless the "alleged perpetrator" went to court and was convicted? How very droll.
...
A broken law is a broken law. It's illegal to enter this country, any country, without the proper visa. Political correctness be damned. Illegal is illegal! The word undocumented is dumb. If you come here legally you are documented as being in this country.Undocumented means illegal...period!
The American Heritage dictionary definition for undocumented:
Same dictionary definition for illegal:
Jim, Homeland Security and the Justice Department won't act to deport anyone, let alone take them to court (per recent Administration policy) unless they're KNOWN to be felons.
The problem with your statement is that there are probably thousands of videos and reports of people coming across our borders without proper authorization, or over-staying visas and disappearing into the general population. We don't know who they are or in many cases what they're doing.
They are here ILLEGALLY. That in itself, under the laws of every nation, is a crime. Try going to Mexico without proper documentation, and you will find yourself in a Mexican jail. Cross into Iran without proper authorization (as did the young "hikers") and you'll find yourself in an Iranian prison, probably charged as a spy. Try entering a European nation without proper authorization, and you'll find yourself being held pending sending you right back to the US.
These people are no more simply "undocumented immigrants" than a drug dealer is an "undocumented pharmacist."
That made me laugh out loud...and then made me realize that it may be the next step in the PC world. Really Scary.
They only say alleged bacause they're not 1st person witnesses. If you saw the robbery yourself, its not "alleged" to you. You dont hear the witnesses in court saying "alleged."
Sure, except no one will allow you to bring them in.
The Federal government says they states can't do it - it's our job.
Then they refuse to do their job.
Basically they want them here to out vote and outnumber us and eventually scrap the constitution since they couldn't care less about that.
"undocumented pharmacist", I like that one...that was great.
Illegal residency here is illegal - enought said - no legal entry - go directly to jail - do not pass go - do not collect any tax dollars.
I am sorry to say that most of you who think "all" undocumented "Americans" are "illegal" should read and research before you write. Most of the posts on here are so "selfish".
Fact #1. Most immigrants that came here after World War II had "America"s help and/or had a sponsor.
Fact # 2. Nor all "undocumented" American's are "illegal".
Fact #3. Many of these immigrants were brought here, they did not sneak in illegally!
Fact #4. Most illegals come here to work and have a better life. They are better than many American citizens who do not appreciate being born here. Lazy, drug addicted, drunks, serial killers, everything in America's for free-money moochers!
Fact #5. Many do not have a home to go to when deported.Tjheyn have family here. I will not be a part of tearing apart a family. Why would I accept sending a good, hard working immigrant to "no man's land"? Instead we should deport all the sicko choild predators and serial killers off to a deserted island or to Cuba. (Same as Castro did to us)!
Fact #6. I do believe we shoudl tighten up our borders but "listen" to the ones that are already here. I also beleive if they break the law "while they are here" they should be deported...
Fact #7. They are human just like us. They deserve to be treated as a human being not a number. Just like any other American. That is the American way. Isn't it?
What's with all the unnecessary quotation marks?
If they do not have a visa, green card, or US citizenship (you know, "documents"), they are indeed illegal.
Your fact #4 is an opinion.
#6 - if they are here without the necessary documentation, they are already breaking the law.
Only a liberal would try to define "illegal" as anything other than "against the law"...
This ridiculous stretch of political correctness is nauseating.
As ridiculous as trying to protect the right of non-citizens to vote ILLEGALLY.
Amazing that there would even be a discussion on what is a non-issue.
The law is the law. Period.
Mike, I am a democrat and I consider illegal immigrant or alien to be a very appropriate term.
I hope you don't mean to say that all 'liberals' are democrats. We should remember that each side of the political spectrum have their extremists. Every democrat I know is as much against illegal aliens in this country as republicans.
It is the responsibility of each of us to do something about this problem and resorting to name calling just further 'alienates' us from one another.
Even under a republican president nothing was done about this issue.
Of course the reason is because of economics. Those who stand to profit the most from cheap labor are the ones who are letting the problem continue while keeping their heads in the sand.
As a side note, have you wondered how approx. the number of illegal aliens in this country equals the number of unemployed?
JD4U...I understand your point but trying to say the Republican Administration did nothing is absolutely false. There was an attempt to promote a path to citizenship that failed in Congress. It failed because the American People did not wish to offer a path to citizenship for criminals. At that point The Republican administration followed the law...Actually up to that point the Federal Government followed the law through audits of company records and steep fines to employers and through raids of companies also accessing fines and deporting fence jumpers.
What we have seen through the Democrat administration is an end run around the law with the President making decrees....as a Democrat you must support the Dream Act that failed. You must also support the directed effort to punish businesses that do not sway with your political alignment. We could call the Obama approach to his non-supporters the punish the infidels principle. You must also support his efforts at Presidential decree that the children of illegals can still benefit from the "Dream Act" even though it has been made clear through two efforts in the last decade that "the People" do not wish to have this act as law.
As a Democrat if you place your vote for Obama you are condoning and enabling every illegal alien to receive support in America. You are giving this President a pass to do what he wishes to flood our country with the out casts of third world countries...you are supporting his effort to keep his welfare Aunties and drunk uncle in this country outside the tenants of immigration law. As a Democrat who professes to oppose illegal immigration you should be shouting to Obama that he either needs to process his family into America legally and sponsor them as family, to be responsible to them for ten years or send them to the nearest international Airport and send them home.
A vote for Obama is a vote to encourage, allow and condone the presence of bottom feeders who jump the fence to get a free ride on the American taxpayers. We have laws and the President should not deem himself and his family above the law...he certainly should not flaunt his entitlement by Presidential decree and the fact that his illegal alien family member live openly and off the taxpayers dime.
How many illegals did the gipper grant amnesty to? Here's a hint - millions!
Only that he has deported more illegals than Bush ever did. Dont let the facts stop you. I know the education in texas is horrible - but try and keep up.
That was to be done in conjunction with a fence being built!!!!!
I know my facts also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Dandy so yes Regan signed the amnesty of the 80's and it was a failed experiment. So why is Obama so intent on repeating what the American People so fervently resist? Much of the point of history is to remind us not to repeat the mistakes of our past.
I suppose you missed the number of articles that contend that the Obama administration plays fast and loose with their deportation stats. Also you neglect the fact that deportations were ever increasing under the Bush administration using real data instead of encouraging his underlings to puff the numbers.
Of course you also neglect to acknowledge Obama's direct affront to American Opinion by issuing an Executive order to stop deportations as he picks and chooses who is worthy based on the failed Dream act legislation.
I am ever floored by people who will willfully reject reality because it is so easy to be spoon fed a fantasy.
We should be mad with the illegal alien (not immigrant) situation but we should also be mad and taking issue with our government. I know this is not the only administration to not effectively deal with this issue, but this is the only administration which has decided to stop deportations and will decide on it's own accord who shall be deported and who will stay. Kinda sounds like a dictatorship when you put it that way. How can this be in the best interest of the American people as obama put it? The government has ceased to function in the best interest of the American people. It no longer works for the people, we are working for the government.
ghost67....Bingo....because of course Obama knows what is best for the 300 million American citizens who would be lost without his leadership and vision of change. It is terribly sad that he mustered enough votes from the American public to become President of the United States. All on empty promises because well in the end he knows what we all need. And well when the majority of the public and Congress disagree with an action he will fix it by Executive order or Royal Despot decree.
How many of those so-called 'immigrants' have come back, or never deported at all? 100% would be my guess...
Illegal alien.And a slap in the face of every person who jumped through all the hoops and waited and did everything correct,also those waiting right now. Everyone who speaks spanish dosent seem to even want to learn english either.The only group ive seen be like this.
so irritating in so many ways
such as "WHICH 'I" word"?
Immigrant begins with I as well, ...
No, most liberals do not think saying Illegal Immigrant is "not PC". It's fine. What a stupid headline for an article.
If you are illegal you are illegal
one thing you all need to know when talking about "lawbreakers". I don't have the link but some LARGE percentage of illegal immigrants did not knowingly Break a LAW when they came here.
why?
they were brought as children by their parents. Their PARENTS broke a law on their behalf.
those of age that choose to stay break the law by being here (is their a law that you can't BE here once you get in illegally? I assume in spirit it is against the law). They fake documents and lie so break the law in spirit.
Thing is for these people, they choose break the law or go back to a country I dont remember well where no one I know well lives, leaving my family.
most of us would break the law in the ways the ones brought here as kids do. You all would be better people if you acknowledge that fact. You would not self deport if you felt and were raised American and then found out you illegal...you would not leave your home and family and work and education.
How about we call them "deported?"
I totally agree with you. Part of the problem is we have become so "correct" we are scared that we might upset someone and get sued. The USA is the only country I know of where when you are born here its a automatic USA birth certificate. In other country's if the parent[s] are not native to that country the newborn is issued duel citizenship and the parents have 7 working days to drop the birth country's citizenship or the child becomes a native and when the parents leave the child has to stay in that country.I think our law has to be changed to do away with anchor babys,also how about grandfathering it back 20-25 years . how many ii's would still be here or that eager to come in the firat place??
Regarding birthright citizenship, I'll just quote this guy:
Comment by MrLonandB Aug. 5, 2010 8:20 a.m.
But the bottom line regarding the argument about what the 14th Amendment was intended for only requires the application of common sense and reasoning. Everyone on this board should be able to understand that the Congress of the United States that passed the 14th Amendment, did not do so with any inclination whatsoever that the amendment would provide for automatic citizenship for children born of foreign invaders and trespassers in the country -- everyone has enough common sense to know this. Additionally, there was no way on Earth that the states would have approved of any such amendment that was intended to allow children of foreign invaders to have automatic citizenship and residency in their state -- anyone at least half as smart as Jethro Bodine understands that immediately.
So you can come out here and play word games with the 14th and you can quote and parse which Supreme Court judge said what -- you can do that until the cows come home. But anyone with even a sliver of common sense and understanding can easily recognize that the 14th amendment to the Constitution was not meant to ensure that third-world trespassers could pump-out babies and wham...instant American citizenship! No one is genuinely that stupid!
No, the democrates aren't stupid at all...it's all about the votes they will get from the Mexican people that are here legally (they want more Mexicans here for all of their causes) and they will also find a way for the illegals to vote for the Democrats so they can keep coming into our county and get complete benefits. The Mexican government loves it when their people can come here and get jobs and send money back to Mexico and help that government!!! There will someday be huge riots in our country!! Perhaps even a civil war. The middle class people just can't take anymore of our government pushing us around!!! Maybe that is why Obama just signed into law last Friday (July 5th, 2012) that the government now owns rights to all communications systems...radio, tv, internet, wireless, cable...you name it the government now has total control over it. Obama called it "for our security against terroist" Ha, ha, ya, sure Big Brother!!! Oh now, they are working on the gun control law which they want to introduce as a United Nations policy that way it doesn't look like Obama had anything to do with it...all guns anyone might own will someday be handed in to the "Big Brother." Of course, for our own safety...sure!! It's only the beginning...keep your head out of the sand and get busy checking out everything that is going on in America. That is while you still can...before the communications policy shuts down Fox News and your computer information that you get.
It is this kind of bs that is ruining our once great Country....
They should drop the "i" word... the second one that is.
A bank robber is no more an illegal "customer" than a border violator is an illegal "immigrant".
Immigrants want to be a part of the place they immigrate to and the first step is going there lawfully, border violators are seeking what is simply best for their own personal situation with a total disregard to the impact on the nation they are entering.
If the liberals can play around with the wording of what these "illegal immigrants" really are, they will eventually be able to make them " citizens from another country who accidentally ended up in the US but because we are so nice we're going to give them everything immigrants." That is the main part of these aliens (illegal), I think it should be a slap in the face to all the "true" immigrants who came here legally with the visas and quotas and eventually became US citizens. This political correctness crap has got to stop, if they're here illegally(no visa, green card,ect.) call them what they are, illegal. Then catch them and send them back to where they belong. If you took the social benefits that are given to illegals and make them prove citizenship before it is given to them and not waste it, extra prisons could be built to hold them until they are deported. This is America, home of the free, but that freedom is for our legal citizens not just whomever shows up on our soil. The borders need to be locked up tight even if it slows some trading and imports, maybe then more jobs will come back to the US.
Did the ACLU write this article. How dare you compare black citizens to illegal, law breaking, immigrants. We are getting to be a nation of do gooders that do not believe in enforcing our own laws. Obama wants more people with no ID voting for him otherwise he won't win this time.
I agree with the researcher who said years ago" When you have 12 million illegal aliens in this country, it is not an accident, it is a policy." And certainly it was big biz and corporations who benefited from the cheap labor. President Obama has deported more illegal aliens than Bush ever did! Check out the successful deployment of "Secure Communities" where all fingerprints being taken in at local jails are examined and sent on to the Immigration Dept.President Obama makes Bush look like a wuss in this dep't. If you believe the garbage that illegals are voting in big numbers, than you are not getting real inflormation. You are another misinformed voter. (FOX?) But I agree with many of the posts, and am conservative on this issue. Climate Change is going to make the the influx even more severe, the Intelligence Council told the Chief Scientist of the CIA, who requested a report on "Climate Change and the Americas". Guess who initiated a bill to defund the Chief Scientist of funding to stop climate change investigations? The GOP senator from Wyoming! Republicans don't even believe in science or physics when it comes to climate, for God's sake! They are funded by fossil fuel giants. I am voting for Obama for two reasons: 1.President Obama believes in the science of climate change. 2.The republicans protect the wealthy, not the middle class. Now I have a third, Obama has been setting records in the number of deportations.
Dream on, the kool-Aid is to the left,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
And then step into the Republican bubble.
Absolute hypocrisy every time you hear a liberal bark out" Pres. Obama has deported more illegals than any other president" then the next article you read Mr. Obama won't deport anchor babies. Mr. Obama and Mr. Holder will not help border states keep out illegal criminals. Arizona a state that has been financially crippled by illegals get sued by the Obama administration and still the liberal drivel continues. For the first time in my life I'm ashamed of an American president and his DOJ for allowing the family of Brian Terry to be trampled upon by the political agenda of the liberals. I have family living in Arizona and border states and believe me there lives have been turned upside down by the illegals. Many of the stories are never reported by mainstream media because it would reflect negatively on this president's agenda. In my opinion everywhere Mr. Obama appears people should be wearing hoodies with justice for the Brian Terry family. We want answers and we want it now Mr. Obama and Mr. Holder.
it's only offensive to the ILLEGALS this pc crap has gotten so out of hand it isn't funny. why are people worrying about this kind of garbage when there are more pressing matters to take care of?
it's another diversion from the important issues. No one is better at this than libs!
Any minute now there will be a George Zimmerman story to divert attention away from the economy, low job numbers, and by all means let's keep the attention away from Eric Holder for surely the family of Brian Terry doesn't deserve justice!
Hi dummy. Lib here and I am not in favor of trivializing the terms used to refer to criminals. They are here illegally.
Stevie... you have got to be kidding. San Bernadino filed for bankrupcy today. San Bernadino is a city with a large illegal population. California once the Golden State is broke because of paying for anchor babies, crime, etc. People are tired of paying taxes for medical, education, etc for those here illegally while some of our own citizens fall through the cracks.
Compromise people..... how about "illegal undocumented worker"
Wakehead,
You said;
"I'm a liberal and against illegal immigration. Quit repeating faux news talking points.
Reagan granted them amnesty and the Bushs did little or nothing on the issue. It took a Democratic president to finally tighten the borders, deport record numbers of illegals, and start enforcing employment laws".
I don’t know what president you are talking about. If you are saying that Obama is doing something about our border security you are wrong. That is the reason every border state has developed their own laws about illegal emigrants. Then you have those same states fighting the Federal government over the issue in court; now if Obama was doing what needs to be done these states would not need these types of laws. Obama wants the borders open; he gets more votes that way. Just because you deport more illegals emigrants then any other president does not you are doing more about the problem it means that more have been caught. One could argue that under Obama the flood gates have been opened and that is why you see more being deported because a lot more are illegally entering the USA because they know Obama's stance on emigration. Just like with Obama's Uncle he was arrested and he is an illegal emergent but they just let him out of jail back onto the US streets.
These illegal emigrants are the ones that are costing our country its way of life. It is these people that run up our health care cost because they are the ones that go to the ER instead of a family doctor. They also get welfare, an education and get to vote all of which is a tax on our society. The voting aspect of it is the part that is the vilest to me as it should be considered a terrorist act per the definition and all that violate this law should be held as a terrorist.
Terrorist act - the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear.
So voting is a terrorist act.
You Lib's just do not understand that this is a clear message to illegal emigrants, mostly from Mexico, come to our country sell drugs, kill our citizens and if caught we will deport you, but you can be back in the USA by dinner time if you hurry. It is just wrong. This president is a failure plain and simple; he is not a leader in any since of the word. If I had my way we would through his as* out of the White House. Don't tell me how bad Bush was yes he was bad in a lot of ways the wars, his spending but he is not the one in the White House anymore it is Obama. Obama said it was unpatriotic of Bush to spend $4.5 trillion is 8 years but Obama has now spent $5.2 trillion in under 4 years, so how unpatriotic is Mr. Obama? Obama does not even have the ability to see what his lack of leadership and his failed policies are costing the American people; our way of life. Bush's unemployment numbers adding the first year of Obama's presidency into his total is 5.8% now what has Obama's been 9.1%.
I vote we keep saying illegal emergent because everything these people do while in our country including just walking down the road is an illegal act. We should start considering these types of acts as a threat to our National Security.
http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57400369-503544/national-debt-has-increased-more-under-obama-than-under-bush/
To Bill1488 the word is immigrant not emigrant. Now let me let you in on a little secret the Bush Administration kept the war in Iraq off the books, so we had to put it on the books. Let me let you in on another secret WARS are very expensive I would venture to say that $4 TRILLION of this administrations spending was from the Bush era. And Bush never caught Osama Bin Laden. President Obama killed Osama Bin Laden, saved the auto industry along with millions of jobs, ended the war in Iraq.
I live in a border state and just saturday i was talking to a border agent who worked on the Arizona Mexico border and he stated that we have less people trying to cross and more are caught than ever before. What you do have is a lot of drug smugglers, and human trafficers. The problem is all these people using illegal drugs that is the problem. The same can be said about undocumented people coming to to work here it is the daries, farmers, ranchers and businesses that hire them and pay them below minimum wage that are to blame. I have been to California farms and have yet to see any Anglos picking fruits or vegetables. Even where i live i have yet to see any Anglos or Blacks picking anyting on the farms. One more thing if undocumented people as you say are receivng any kind of government service (example food stamps, or checks) then you need to blame the govermnt worker who is not doing their job and refusing service to undocumented. People can't just go in and get services, there are forms to be filled out. I hate when people comment without reading, or doing research.
Of course you wont see American's out picking the harvest, they refuse to work for peanuts and no benefits, would you? You do know that Caesar Chavez was ANTI-ILLEGAL ALIENS? He had the foresight to understand that illegals ruined and devalued EVERYTHING they touch. Such as depressing wages, working under the table under appalling conditions that no American would, working for no benefits (you know the ones YOU benefit from, if you have a job).
I haven't figured out the 'cheap labor argument'? My food doesn't cost less, my Gardner still raises his prices, fast food didn't go down, etc. So them being here hasn't 'saved' any money, and if they left (were deported) nothing still would change, except my son could get a job (he's in high school) and contribute paying taxes, because he can't claim fictional children...
For the record, My grandfather and his brother, who were 100% Irish, DID follow and pick the harvest, so YOUR argument isn't very well researched, at all.
NOTE THIS: some or many of the Hispanic, Spanish speaking are in with the ILLEGALS.
And why do they have to "sneak in" when they are being rewarded US Citizenship for being ILLEGITIMATES!
Obviously you do not watch UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO, AZTECA, and I am missing one here.
Catch up.
We take in 7-=8 MILLION annually.
Can you pay for them and theirs at 80-90% ILLEGITIMACY?
Obviously you have NEVER had a US Military family member MIA POW, blown to bits, without arms or legs or return in a coffin or be B E H E A D E D: they went into the military for our nation, for our families and theirs, and to attend college?
Are you that ignjorant that you have NO KNOWLEDGE of the continued EXCUSE of what their "fathers did" when they don't even know who the sperm donors were or are? They don't care--they want something for nothing.
Try to convince yourself--OBVIOUSLY you have no JOB and cannot see or do not go out and see them: no little next door neighbor kid does lawns ANYMORE--just ILLEGALs ILLEGITIMATES aka La Raza=666=The Race.
So you don't see anyone doing that?
Do you eat out ?
Do you have NO DO YOU PAY for ANYTHING? If you did---you would be outraged at the lack of ENGLISH..
The DEMS but you wouldn't know that either voted against MAKING E N G L I S H our official language TWICE
DIAL#2 for Spanish...
What is here is not going to leave: YET WE HAD T H R E E Presidents PRIOR say GET OUT and they did!
So REMEMBER the ALAMO and REMEMBER GOLIAD: of course NONE of this is know to ILLEGALS illegitimates or drop outs or and especially brainless ventwhores who sit on their fat butts spewing verbage without facts.
No wonder the COmmunist laugh at the USA "breaking up-" they don't have to do anything...just watch...
Pathetic...ignorance kills...
The Alamo and GOLIAD are at everyone's doorstep now: how many will pee their pants...? The majority of cowards within right to the White House jubilant of their success at taking down One Nation Under GOD...
Those of us who live by the Law and that is TEN COMMANDMENTs will not have to be in HELL with the scum and illegals and their Sanctuary Cities TRAITORS WITHIN Non profits like Catholic Church, ACLU, MECHA, ACORN, SPLC: may you have my name on your TRAITOR list bulletin board I would be proud...
world's most unintelligble comment!
Their sentence structure is off, but the points made in their argument is pretty spot on and can't be refuted. I noticed you didn't even try, instead you insulted them. Common enough defense, especially when one has no offense...'Dr. Rational', you fail....
Some of you need to quit turning this into a political issue. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. People from both parties, all walks of life, and all the races/ethnicities believe it is illegal and should be stopped. Perhaps if the people of this country would unite in their opposition against this and stop politicizing the issue (both sides do it), then maybe we'd solve the problem. I can dream, right?
I wish I could agree with you. This Administrations latest actions regarding the illegal immigrant issues in Arizona and granting legal status to anyone brought here by their parents illegally...makes it rather difficult to 'come together'.
Mexico's President complained to OUR President about the 'treatment of HIS people in this nation'...it made me laugh...until I heard OUR President state that Arizona is misguided and assure him that no person will be discriminated against.
Can you picture OUR President going into ANY nation and complaining about how they treat people from the USA who might be in that country illegally?
It's funny, I've seen conservative politicians pound their chests over this issue, but when it comes down to it, many don't really want to do anything about it either... God forbid they lose that source of cheap labor...
Wow, I'm way deep in this post so few will probably read this, but here goes.
First, the story line - Drop the 'i' word? Debating the term illegal immigrant - is ignorance personified. I'm not surprised this story line comes from a professor and a member of the press, which are two institutions that long ago set aside intelect as a requirment for membership.
Folks, all you have to do is read the Constitution. There are two and only two types of people here in this country - citizens and aliens, and immigrant is not and never has been one of those choices.
If you are here as an alien, you have to be here legally, or you have to be here illegally. There is no room for debate and staying within the framework of the constitution on this.
There is no such thing as an "undocumented worker" as our ex speaker of the House and many other "word smiths" like to say, and there is also no such thing as an "illegal immigrant" as other "word smiths" like to say, including the two supposedly intellectuals that wrote this stupid article.
Now if you want to ignore the US Constitution, then go ahead and join the Progressive Left (a very great gaggle of "word smiths") where "Progressive" has absolutely nothing to do with "Progress".
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