Is the term "illegal immigrant" a slur?

[bongogirl 0]

i've got some pretty strong views on the term, myself. personally, the word "illegal" when referring to a person is de-humanizing. there are more sides to it than just blanketly calling people illegal immigrants. i know, because i was called that (and detained for it) before and it was definately not all they said it was.

Dehumanizing you say? Hmmm. Do you suppose it might hurt a law-breakers feelings to get tossed in jail? That is rather de-humanizing. Law-breakers in America, have committed illegal acts. That's why they are called law-breakers. Many today are referring to illegal aliens, just like that. ILLEGAL! Why? Well, you know it's pretty simple as to WHY. Because they broke the law. They violated the law when they crossed the border. They violated the law when they remained in this country. They violated the law when they obtained a job in this country. They continue to violate the law every day they are here. What is a criminal if not someone who violates the law? Deal with it ... they're criminals.

[Sister Fracas 5]

illegal immigrant or illegal alien is hardly a new term though... all of a sudden it's a slur...hmmm

[Jasman0717 9]

Theres always gonna be someone around who wants to be argumentative. Everybody now a days seems to take offense and cry prejudice. If you didn't follow the correct legal procedures to come here then you ARE illegal no matter what race you are.

[Traviesa 0]

Nothing wrong with the term when used properly, as "immigrant" refers to an individual with immigrant intent, which definitely does not apply to all or even most illegal aliens.

[mikeize 0]

How bout we call them "pilgrims"?

[anya-D 8]

Most of the time if i hear the word "illegal immigrant" my thought goes with hispanic people first.. seems so steriotype for me but couldnt help it... feels that they are majority of illegal immigrant.... But in Thailand or in Thai community we have our own word for "illegal immigrant" we call thais who are liveing here illegally "Robinhood" - they came here legally but mostly overstay..

[meauxna 15]

Nothing wrong with the term when used properly, as "immigrant" refers to an individual with immigrant intent, which definitely does not apply to all or even most illegal aliens.

The legal definition is different than yours:

Hi:

I suggest you read section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration & Nationality Act which defines "immigrant" -- it is ANY alien other than defined classes such as found at 101(a)(15)(K) which describe fiances, certain spouses of US citizens and their following to join children.

Juan Valdez picking coffee in Colombia with no intention of coming to the US is an "immigrant" and a lawful one at that.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showpost.ph...003&postcount=7

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

NO NO NO!!! you chopf#ck politically correct liberals.

[mikeize 0]

How come rio-grande not/= plymouth rock?

[Fandango 1,440]

omG have all you 'this term is derrogatory' ppl gone mad?

[chocolaterie 0]

this is ridiculous. This is almost as insane as a quote by Bush.

"when illegals enter the country illegally, that's against the law."

If you're illegal you're illegal... just because the majority of illegals happen to be hispanic it doesn't mean it's a racial slur. I am speechless.

[Ladylethal 12]

I disagree that it´s dehumanizing. Illegal is just their legal state. If to enter a country you´re required to have a visa, and you bypass the law and stay in that country without one, you´re not following what´s legal, so you´re illegal.

I see nothing wrong with that. My guess is that if they´re illegal they´re not immigrants, but visitors that haven´t returned home.

[cmartyn 0]

Why Plymouth Rock is not a good example.

Cause there was no INS at the time.

We had way more guns than the Indians.. wanna play cowboys and Mexicans now?

[sparkofcreation 0]

The person is not illegal, their immigration status is.

I agree that it's dehumanizing, but not that it's racist or whatever Sandoval was trying to argue. I especially hate it when people call them "illegals."

Personally I prefer "undocumented." Probably because it just sounds, really, really weird to say "extranjero ilegal" (illegal alien) in Spanish, and much more logical to say "extranjero indocumentado" (undocumented alien). And that's the population I work with.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Just because the majority of illegals happen to be hispanic it doesn't mean it's a racial slur.

But making it appear that one equals the other allows the offender to wear the victims coat.