Why 'illegal immigrant' is a slur

CNN ^ | July 5, 2012 | Charles Garcia

[moonshinner_09]

(CNN) -- Last month's Supreme Court decision in the landmark Arizona immigration case was groundbreaking for what it omitted: the words "illegal immigrants" and "illegal aliens," except when quoting other sources. The court's nonjudgmental language established a humanistic approach to our current restructuring of immigration policy.

When you label someone an "illegal alien" or "illegal immigrant" or just plain "illegal," you are effectively saying the individual, as opposed to the actions the person has taken, is unlawful. The terms imply the very existence of an unauthorized migrant in America is criminal.

In this country, there is still a presumption of innocence that requires a jury to convict someone of a crime. If you don't pay your taxes, are you an illegal? What if you get a speeding ticket? A murder conviction? No. You're still not an illegal. Even alleged terrorists and child molesters aren't labeled illegals.

By becoming judge, jury and executioner, you dehumanize the individual and generate animosity toward them. New York Times editorial writer Lawrence Downes says "illegal" is often "a code word for racial and ethnic hatred."

[moonshinner_09]

So if I follow his logic right, anybody crossing the border illegally should be advised, there is still a presumption of innocence that requires a jury to convict someone of a crime.You may carry on, we cannot ask you if you illegal ?

[Paladin2]

OK, call them criminal aliens.

[marron]

Mexicans want a standard applied to them that they don’t apply to illegals in their own country.

[ScottinVA]

Hey Garcia -- I have your slur right here:

FOAD!!

[Silentgypsy]

That’ll work.

[expat2]

OK, let’s call them “invaders”.

[frankenMonkey]

...and CNN wonders why it’s become the laughing stock of, well, everyone.

[ScottinVA]

Mexicans want a standard applied to them that they don’t apply to illegals in their own country.

That's because many of them believe they own the entire continent, and WE'RE the interlopers.

[DuncanWaring]

When you label someone an "illegal alien" or "illegal immigrant" or just plain "illegal," you are effectively saying the individual, as opposed to the actions the person has taken, is unlawful.

OK, then, we'll call them "Invaders" and "New Conquistadores" instead.

[Cementjungle]

When you label someone an "illegal alien" or "illegal immigrant" or just plain "illegal," you are effectively saying the individual, as opposed to the actions the person has taken, is unlawful.

Fine. Call them criminals.

[Little Ray]

Or Invading Barbarians.

[GraceG]

[ Mexicans want a standard applied to them that they don’t apply to illegals in their own country. ]

If Mitt Romney was Sly and not an idiot RINO when asked about immingration he should simple say we should adopt the “Mexican Laws” for Immigration.

Watch LaRaza try to spin that.

But he is a Dull RINO....

[JaguarXKE]

Would it be a slur if I called Garcia an asshat?

[muawiyah]

When you cross a border the way you dispel the idea that you are an "illegal" is to show your visa.

That's anywhere on this planet. It is our way of life. People who don't like that idea should probably find someplace else to live.

[EyeGuy]

Yeah, I agree.

It is a slur on the defintion of the word “immigrant”. It is also an insult to legal, honest immigrants, seeking a bettter life, use that term on these line-jumping criminals.

Instead, I got: Racist, invading, parastic thieves.

[muawiyah]

Read that too fast, cruised back and realized you hadn’t said “wankers” ~

[EyeGuy]

Yeah, I agree.

It is a slur on the defintion of the word “immigrant”. It is also an insult to legal, honest immigrants, seeking a better life, to use that term on these line-jumping, arrogant criminals.

Instead, I got: Racist, invading, parastic thieves.

[God luvs America]

spoken by the same left wing hypocrites who constantly refer to legal, taxpaying Americans as “teabaggers” or “rednecks”...

[Happy Rain]

And rape should be referred to as an undocumented booty call and murder a post natal abortion.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

OK, let's call them "Conquistadors."