Few things in the immigration debate are more controversial than the terms used to describe people in the country illegally.Not surprisingly, immigration rights activists push for "undocumented immigrants." Enforcement advocates prefer "illegal alien."
We journalists are caught in the middle.
On Monday, a nearly two-hour discussion on the issue at the International Center for Journalist in Washington, D.C., got heated at times as each side charged the other with playing politics and promoting half-truths.
The discussion, led by USA TODAY immigration reporter Emily Bazar, can be watched here.
Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations for NumbersUSA, which advocates for a reduction of immigrants allowed in the country, says the term undocumented immigrant is unclear . Illegal alien, she contends, describes all groups who arrived illegally or who have overstayed their visas.
"It seems to us that the best way to use the terminology is based on what the law says," she said. "Then, you're being very clear about who you're talking about," she said.
But Lisa Navarrete, vice president of The National Council of La Raza, which advocates for immigrant rights, said illegal alien, or especially illegal as a noun, is a pejorative term that dehumanizes and demonizes individuals.
"This is not a legalistic debate, this is a political debate, " she said. And the terms that are used in this debate say more about the speaker than they do the subject. Words matter... We do really have a problem calling a human being illegal. There aren't illegal human beings. They may have committed a criminal act, but they're not illegal. People who speed are not illegal drivers or illegal because they speed."
At the Observer, we do our best to seek the middle ground. We try first to describe that the person has arrived in the country illegally or overstayed a visa, whatever the action, instead of using a specific term. However, because of space requirements, that is often not possible.
So, for Observer reporters, the preferred term is "illegal immigrants." As a synonym we will use the terms undocumented workers or unauthorized as long as its clear we're referring to individuals in the country illegally. We try not to use the words "illegal" or "illegals" as a noun. We also avoid using the term "alien" unless it's in direct quotes.
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71 comments:
Yeah, good point on using soft language. I think The Observer should do this in every story, whether the subject is political or not. Tough labels like, I don't know, "serial killer" should change to "unauthorized life-ender", it's less offensive and, of course, more accurate because killing serially is an act, not a status.
Charlotte needs another paper...so badly.
I look forward to the Observer using the term "pro-life" rather than "anti-abortion" based on their criteria.
I'm sorry, I had to laugh at "unauthorized life ender". I don't really know which term is more correct regarding people that are in the country illegally. Alien sounds terrible because you are talking about people, but they are here illegally. I guess "illegal immigrant" would be a good compromise.
lol I am so gonna bill you for the pepsi that just spewed out of my mouth and onto my lcd.
You journalist are caught in the middle? the middle of what?
Pandering to an ILLEGAL group of people in the country ILLEGALLY?
Or a bunch of nuts pushing for the rights of a group of people that by law shouldn't have any rights?
"Illegal alien, she contends, describes all groups who arrived illegally or who have overstayed their visas.
I dunno if you must.. I prefer illegal alien, without the quotes.
You "journalists" should be educated enough to know that
calling a watermelon a shovel ain't gonna make it shovel, it's still a watermelon.
Now go to food lion and buy me some pepsi
Drug dealer = unlicensed pharmacist
Bank robbery = unauthorized withdrawal
Auto thief = unauthorized driver
etc....
The real reason The National Council of The Race wants to use the term "undocumented immigrant" is because by describing them as immigrants they're already half-way home to a fait accompli of amnesty.
Sorry, I just can't get past Franco calling himself a journalist. A pro-illegal immigration blogger is more like it. Journalists report facts objectively and allow the reader to interpret those facts. Maybe one day the observor will try hiring a journalist.
Lisa Navarrete of The National Council of La Raza makes a good point about the use of “undocumented immigrants” vs “illegal alien – “There aren't illegal human beings. They may have committed a criminal act, but they're not illegal”
So,let’s compromise and use her choice of words --- they are “criminal immigrants”
$136,000 car stolen from Panthers player in south Charlotte
By Steve Lyttle
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Franco, can't you tell Stene Lyttle to lighten up? Davis' car wasn't stolen, it was borrowed without permission.
No problem coming up with a lablel for franco-criminal invader coddler is PERFECT! franco has NEVER met a criminal invader he did not want to take home and have marry his kids. Is franco a legal resident? With his TOTALLY BIASED bloggin I DOUBT that he is. Deport franco!!!!
They are not immigrants, they are gate crashing criminals and should be treated as such
of course have a La Raza member on the supreme court will stop all this conversation about titles; they will simple be pre-citizens
The only thing I think that is "illegal" is the forcing of people to observe temporary, imaginary lines drawn on an earthly map.
People lived in North America long before this temporary country, and I'm sure people will live here long after this government has faded from memory.
The church is no respecter of borders - in the Kingdom of God we all are brothers and sisters. The church needs to start speaking the truth to power and stop serving earthly kingdoms.
You cannot serve two masters - you cannot serve both God and county.
Alians are from another planet. Don't any of you ever watch Star Trek?
I'd like to see a law passed revoking citizenship to anybody who can't provided adequate documentation that either
1) Their ancestors are Native American
2) Their ancestors were forced here via slavery, or
3) That their ancestors came here by today's legal standards, and have adequate documentation to prove it. Just being born on one side of a map line or the other doesn't matter.
Otherwise, your citizenship would be revoked and you must apply for residency. Boy, that would shut up so many of this bigots who aren't TRUE Americans: Native Americans.
Since you bigots have no problem labeling somebody "ILLEGAL" then I guess you have to problem with Afghans and Iraqis sending 6,000 ILLEGAL invaders to their graves, huh? Same thing - stop being a hypocrite!
The anti-immigrant bigots are just bitter and angry because in the last election America utterly and embarrassingly rejected their filth.
The neocon bigots became the one thing they hate the most - A MINORITY, bwhahahahaha!
How about criminal?
To the idiot who posted @ 9:13 -
The people have not been labelled illegal, they are illegal immigrants. That is defined by law (you know, law, the foundation of society). As for our troops, they are not invading and attacking Afghan and Iraquis, they are running oppresors out of those contries who have already invaded. Maybe the with any luck the next person killed by a illegal alien driving drunk will be you. That'd be a blessing to our society. See, the problem with people who come illegally is that they have no regard for our laws. Check a crime stat once in a while and get a clue.
I think if we call them "undocumented immigrant" than we should also call child molesters "youth enthusiasts".
Its time to send every last illegal alien packing. To most of us it isn't about race, its about our right to protect our country and way of life from a silent invasion. But to those who insist its a race thing; It doesn't matter. As a free citizen of this country you can be a racist if you want to. That is not illegal (yet) and it does not change the fact that these offenders have broken the law. Send them packing!!
In response to whomever posted at 9:18; you said "America utterly and embarrassingly rejected their filth."
The popular vote, which is what you seem to think you're talking about was 55% to 45% roughly. So in truth, a little more than half rejected their filth. Not really what you thought I'm sure, but a little research will show its true. So pretty much you're wrong. Glad I could help.
Defending political correctness is exactly what I would expect Franco to do. It's what people do when they know they are wrong but refuse to admit it.
Im so tired of this PC BS, we stumble over actual issues in fear of hurting the publics fragile feelings. We are breeding ourselves into some kind weak minded, soggy intelect speicies that is unable to sheild our feble little minds from the harsh words of others. what ever happened to you cant please every body.
Reading the comments regarding the many ways we can call other people who act illegally was highly amusing.
Yo quiero taco bell!
wq1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year by state governments. V
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English!
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for welfare social services by the American taxpayers.
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens.
10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that’s two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular,their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US.
11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our southern border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from terrorist countries.
12. The National Policy Institute, “estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.”
13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin.
14. “The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States.”
To the person who wants to 'deport' Franco...your comments are laughable at best. If you don't like the contents of the blog, then why are you reading it? I can agree to disagree and don't mind reading other's opinions. But, spare us the rigmarole of inane comments that don't address the contents of the article.
"Undocumented" isn't even accurate. They have plenty of documents. They steal IDs and SS numbers from citizens and legal immigrants.
I'm glad the bigots are a dwindling few - on Nov. 8th they became the one thing they hate the most - A MINORITY!
In the 50's and 60's these same hillbilly bigots were saying the exact same things about segregation and blacks. Now they've just decided to pick a new group to try to scapegoat.
Thankfully, America disagrees with them - I doubt the bigot repubs will ever win another election, except the election for KKK Grand Master.
Undocumented immigrant=a foreigner who is visting or working within the United States and its possessions without verified paperwork. Illegal alien or illegal=a politically-created term to incite public animosity and hatred against people from other countries and cultures, in order to create additional division and strife among all human beings. My last definition IS NOT what our country is supposed to be about. We are traditionally and historically a nation of immigrants, a country established by children of immigrants, a land where opportunity is supposed to be an attainable dream for those who set foot on our soil. Xenophobia and hate don't belong in this debate, especially in country where everyone (except for Native Americans, who were here before most of our ancestors) has been connected to immigrants, either through successive generations or current immigration status. The immigration laws need a major rehaul, so that we can naturalize the undocumented workers already here, and put this issue far behind us! Latinos and Mexicans have been a natural part of the U.S. landscape for more than 300 years, and they are not going away, no matter how many fences and high-tech barriers we erect between the U.S. and Mexico!
To Anon 9:09pm-
You didn't think your argument out too thoroughly, did you? You seem to be forgetting that "Native Americans" actually migrated here from Asia. So by your standards they wouldn't be "true" citizens anyway. At least you won the prize for one of the most absurd posts in this thread.
Anonymous @ 9:18 said...
"The anti-immigrant bigots are just bitter and angry because in the last election America utterly and embarrassingly rejected their filth."
I think you've got it backwards. America rejected John McCain, champion of illegal immigrant rewarding.
And from now on a burglar will be reported as an "uninvited house guest." Don't you just love political correctness?
Political correctness=respect. Immigrant-bashing and hateful words=increased violence and lack of respect. The tongue is more dangerous than a sword. The pen causes more casualties than a bullet. We need to watch our words, they usually become our actions. Speech in the absence of correctness opens the door to violence.
Criminal illegals is a good term.
Im sick of Americans pandering to these invaders who commit such heinous crimes and are choking our prisons and welfare teats.
LaRaza should be OUTLAWED in the USA and their offices SHUT DOWN immediately. Sotomayor is a wiseass lesbian racist member of LaRaza, the Latino KKK!
When I worked at Carowinds years ago, every time someone stole money they called it "misappropriation of funds." I always got a kick out of PC language.
I prefer the term ILLEGAL SCUM myself. That is what they are.
Maybe Mary Newsom at CO who loves illegals should talk with the family of the cop in Houston killed last month by an illegal. That makes five cops there killed by illegals.
Remember Mary said that illegal immigration was a "civil infraction" and not a crime. Hope the CO goes under one day.
Actually, aliens are from some place other than here (which can apply to a country or planet). Well if we had the same requirements as other countries, if a person does not have a valid ID of citizenship or Visa, then no healthcare, no school, no home. So if we adopted this standard first, then "undocumented immigrant" would be just fine - "no documents", no health care, school or place to stay. No Ticki No Laundry.
how about 'WOP's? It means 'without papers'
Showing that I am a compromising sort of guy, I propose that in the next Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal that we hereby recognize the term "undocumented immigrant" as the new and official term for those foreign born individuals unlawfully residing in this country in exchange for the exclusion of any and all healthcare, education, and other benefits to this group and the initaition of prompt and immediate deportation of said offenders.
This way, the term will become increasingly irrelevant since there will be far fewer of them to deal with in the first place. Deal?
"I think you've got it backwards. America rejected John McCain, champion of illegal immigrant rewarding."
anon @9:18 -- you beat me to the punch! Seriously, if the open border libs somehow think that the last election was a referendum on amnesty and open borders then they are even more delusional than I thought. Unfortunately, the Republicans nominated the poster child for amnesty leaving us with a choice of really open borders or really really open borders in the last election.
The American people in poll after poll have shown that they are clearly against our open immigration policies and granting of amnesty to the illegals already here. With 10% unemployment I would imagine that this sentiment is only strengthed. Add in the prospect of nationalized healthcare and the additional burden of paying even more for their healthcare and this sentiment is not going to get any better for the open-border types.
I think "criminal fugitives" sounds good.
So those illegal or undocumented persons find some of these terms offensive? Where is the article about me; someone who is offended by the lack of English being spoken at so many establishments in the good ole USA? Someone who is offended by ads running in both English and Spanish in more and more stores these days? Someone who feels for friends who have lost jobs to illegals because they will do it cheaper and w/o benefits or those friends who have had their jobs threatened if they did not take Spanish and become bilingual in their professions? Step over the border into another country and see if you aren't treated as a spy or terrorist and detained for life or put to death. There is a legal way to be here and then there is the way of doing it illegally. Being offended when you are breaking the law like that is about as stupid as breaking into someones home to steal yet falling while inside, injuring yourself in the process and turning around to sue the homeowner. We are indeed the land of opportunity and still allow legal entry when the legal process has been followed and entry granted. For those who break in line or sneak in, you are more than a bully and deserved to be treated as such. Be responsible for your own actions!
To Anonymous July 15, 2009 7:22 AM:
Actually, the "bigots" were right about segregation, too.
And most people STILL prefer it.
Or haven't you looked around lately?
For those screaming bigotry, it is not bigotry to try to defend one's sovereignty, language and culture.
As far as illegal aliens or undocumented immigrants, they have knowingly committed a crime by crossing the border without permission and should not be rewarded in any form. Once, here of course, they keep committing acts which they know are wrong: working when they are not allowed to, driving without licenses, and stealing identities and committing other document fraud, like being given loans and credit cards based on fake papers.
I am sick of reading the suffering of sneaking in here, being separated from anchor babies when they are deported and the continual demand that we provide all services, and especially that those services be provided in Spanish, we taxpayers have to pay for translators for people who have no plan of learning English. These people are not here to embrace the American dream and assimilate. They are here only for the money, and with the economy now.
How about "criminal foreigner"?
On another note it needs to be noted that so called "latino" Sonya Sotomayor being presently affirmed to be a Supreme Court justice is not not a real white European caucasoid race Latino but instead her native Puerto Rican parents were both red mongoloid race Asian indians of the indiginous Ortoiroid tribe of the indian Taino culture Carribean Island discovered initially by Italian white Latino Christopher Columbus in October 1492 working for the King and Queen of Spain.
This may explain the racist vemon she has displayed for the white caucasoid male publically over her 17 yrs as a judge and of course needs to be put into the light.
We know the history of what Columbus named "rich coast" Puerto Rico entails also the African slave trade throughout the Spanish owned bigger islands that ended in 1873 with a slave revolt who killed the white Latino slave owners and their families and assumed control of the island as colonialism ended in 1897.
Her racism toward white males was obviously learned in her red race island heritage who despised the elite white caucasoid Latino Spanish colonialists and other Euro race whites in general as most reds did throughout the western world. We know in todays pc world public students are taught that white Latino Columbus and all whites brought diseases death and destruction that is totally false to say the least since missionary Columbus and Europe simply were following the dictates of their white man religion and cleansing paganism from the world while civilizing and westernizing it from savagery.
Sotomayors many public racist comments and raging temperament toward mainly white attorneys and her hate toward white males in general is well documented.
http://cdn.optmd.com/V2/62427/143052/index.html?g=Af////8=&r=www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/sotomayor.asp
"The time has come to end white male oppression to catrate every white male until the are no longer dominant in Western culture. That means forcible removal of their testicles. I realize the brutality of comment and I dont know how to say it more clearly."
Judge Sonya Sotomayor 2004
Correction on Sotomayor castration of white males link controversy.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/sotomayor.asp
I am so scared to type a response in this forum. I might not be politically correct.
WHAT A SHAME!!!!!
Facts are facts. If you are here "Without Documentation", then you are an "Illegal Alien".
Get over it folks. Facts are facts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqk6IP-1Z0c&feature=related
http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17062:welfare-costs-illegal-2009-07-14-05-11&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97
"Border-Jumping Criminal" works fine for me.
Franco Ordoñez, are you keeping up with all of these comments? Can you believe the amount of anti-immigrant bias and xenophobia from your readers? I am more than shocked to read some of these comments. Is this the direction we want our country to be going? Is there anyone who supports immigrants, and their contributions to our society at large?
You one world socialists have a problem. There are actually people across the globe who want to kill us because we don't look like them or believe what they believe. Your self-righteous judgment of us nationalist should have a chat with those folks. At least we are trying to kill anyone. Now you are going to come back with all that crap about us being warmongers and all. The truth is our country has given its people and its treasure to try to help others all over the world to a far greater extent than any other people. Get real.
I subscribe to the old adage, "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.........its a DUCK, theory.
Maybe we should use the same title that other countries use.
Countries like Russia, China, even Mexico.
I think they call them "PRISONERS".
Oh, and then they deport them.
Is there anyone who supports immigrants, and their contributions to our society at large?
they_were_here_first said...
I would say that almost all of the posters on this blog would support immigrants and their contributions to our society.
It's the illegal ones we have a problem with.
I have studied and lived in Latin America, love Latin culture, and respect a great deal of Latin American ethics in America. That being said, NO ONE has the "right" to break the law. Period. Not governors. Not presidents. No CEOs. Not policemen. No people seeking to enter this, or any other, country. Any other commentary is spin doctor, lawyering bullshit.
In spite of all her education this woman is totally ignorant. So Sotomayor wants to castrate all white males to eradicate oppression in the "Western culture"? Who is this angry racist feline trying to kid? Western culture IS white culture you knuckleheaded idiot. The "west" and all its languages culture religion etc is of the European caucasoid Shem/Semite race.
Someone needs to honestly advise these completely ignorants of their real racial continental heritage and not the one they currently live in fortunately thrust upon them beginning 500 yrs ago by one of the bravest heroic European christian Latinos who ever lived whose very name is holy and famous.
Christopher Columbus jettisoned the myth of a flat earth and with his 3 small rugged
Spanish ships Nina Pinta and Santa Marie with 100 men landed on rich port Puerto Rico personally nailing a large cross into the shores to claim the entire western hemisphere for the Universal great world Roman empire headquarters of the truth driving a dagger into the heart of a pagan savage land that became the shining light on the hill for the way and the life and truth.
Well done Mr. Columbus ... You fought the good fight and won ...
We cant ignore the equally brave crusader Europeans who sailed the Cape of southern Africa and likewise created nations like South Africa driving deep into the jungles creating many other nations such as Rhodesia Kenya etc. that have been now wasted by pagan native rule and reverted back to 3rd world savagery although these Muslims are being countered by brave heroic enlightened black African natives who must continue to fight the good fight and win... the struggle for goodness is never ending ...
Poor unfortunate travelers from another land, requiring all desired support, protection, housing, sustenance, complete education, medical care and tax-free jobs with absolutely no responsibilities. Must be allowed to bring along their habits, language, food, and culture without restriction or infringement.
Now there's a definition you can live with. Even the big newspapers resident betwack will take that,,,
Symantics, symantics. The fact remains they are ILLEGAL and should be DEPORTED!!! That would help solve many of our economic ills -- like taxing the health care system, criminal justice system, education system and so on. Oh,you say, they do the jobs Americans wouldn't do. Think again - with rising unemployment, I'll bet many AMERICAN CITIZENS would jump at the chance.
To they_were_here_first --
No one here is against IMMIGRATION -- I am the granddaughter of immigrants. We are against ILLEGAL immigration.
I remember my grandparents had to deal with quota systems and once here, if they wanted to sponsor a relative coming over from the home country, they had to put up their home for collateral.
Get rid of ILLEGALS...and ship their anchor babies back with them.
I find it difficult to believe the Observer cannot find room in a story to write that someone is "illegal" but can spend pages and pages over several days to present sob stories about illegal immigrants.
Who cares what they are called out loud or in print!
They no comprende' the english langauge anyway!
Hey JDog I like the humor, however I checked with God this very evening and he said
that "unathorized life-ender" is all ready taken by the "abortion Doctor"
After just returning from a year's deployment in Iraq for a year, I read these stupid, hate-filled comments and it makes me wonder if I wasted my time trying to make people get along. The comments here are from the most miserable-sounding people I can imagine. They don't know anything about human suffering, or why people risk everything for a better life. The U.S. is in huge trouble around the world, and it ain't because of immigrants from Mexico. Wake up America, get educated and see it's the big bankers, oil sheiks and military profiteers that have taken all your money, jobs, and healthcare; and if they haven't got yours yet, don't cry when they do. As things get worse in the U.S. And they're very happy to have you blame illegals. I can see it turning into the hate that burns up Iraq. One group against another. If you don't believe it, sign up for either Iraq or Afghanistan, and see the real end game of hate.
Illegal Immigration is not a crime. It is a "CIVIL INFRACTION". So says the anti-American Mary Newsom at the Charlotte Observer.
It is amazing. If she were to walk late or her car break down late at night in these illegal neighborhoods of Charlotte I bet she would think otherwise.
Illegals are breaking the LAW. Yes Mary there is law. Companies have fired tens of thousands of workers and hired illegals. These illegals get free health care courtesy of taxpayers (for example at my spouse's hospital), many get food stamps; free education; medicaid; etc. Yet I have to pay for each of these. A company who hires them, such as the many in Rock Hill, don't pay social security tax, workmen's comp, etc. Their profit increases.
Which they may need in the difficult times.
My solution. Deport them all.
"Anonymous said...
After just returning from a year's deployment in Iraq for a year, I read these stupid, hate-filled comments and it makes me wonder if I wasted my time trying to make people get along. The comments here are from the most miserable-sounding people I can imagine. They don't know anything about human suffering, or why people risk everything for a better life..."
We dont care if went to Iraq for a year and returned. You made a mistake. Go back and stay there. You are still stupid hate filled ignorant and supremely arrogant to say the least.
WHO IS MORE RACIST THEN "LA RAZA"? THE VERY NAME MEANS "THE RACE" AND ITS FOLLOWED BY "EVERYTHING FOR THE RACE, AND NOTHING OUTSIDE THE RACE"! IS THAT "RACIST" ENOUGH? ILLEGAL IS THE PROPER TERM FOR PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE OUR BORDERS OR OUR LAWS. A COUNTRY WITHOUT BORDERS IS NOT A COUNTRY. EVEN A THIRD WORLD SHITHOLE LIKE MEXICO HAS A BORDER, AND ENFORCES IMMIGRATION LAWS WITH VIGOR. THIS MARXIST PRESIDENT IS AS BAD AS THE ILLEGALS, HE CAN'T WAIT TO GIVE THE ILLEGAL TRASH AMNESTY.
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