George Carlin once observed, \u201cby and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.\u201d He may be giving us that wry head cock and raised eyebrow right now after the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) has decided to recommend that newsrooms refrain from using the terms \u201cillegal immigrant\u201d and illegal alien.\u201d The SPJ was concerned that \u201conly courts can decide when a person has committed an illegal act.\u201d More likely, the SPJ has buckled to fierce political pressure from illegal alien special interest groups. <\/p>\n
Ensuring that judgment does not bleed into news reporting is a worthy goal for all free press, but shaping words to fit politically correct molds is simply another form of bias. Substituting the term \u201cillegal alien\u201d with \u201cundocumented immigrant\u201d or \u201cworker\u201d in order to placate powerful lobbies interjects opinion itself and surrenders the language to drive an agenda. <\/p>\n
Journalistic guidelines dictate that disclosing a subject\u2019s personal information – including immigration status – is not always integral to the story. But when it is, readers deserve clarity, not obfuscation. <\/p>\n
The SPJ recommends using \u201cundocumented workers.\u201d The problem with that term is that with a few keystrokes, the illegality – the breaking of the law – is magically erased. \u201cIllegal\u201d disappears and with it, so too does regard for the rule of law. The SPJ claims that using the term \u201cillegal\u201d\u201d presumes guilt but they seem just fine ignoring guilt when reporting even on broad classes of aliens who brazenly self-identify as residing in the U.S. illegally. Can\u2019t have it both ways folks. The addition of the word \u201cundocumented\u201d suggests that those who have violated U.S. immigration laws are simply inconvenienced by not having the proper papers. But many illegal aliens do have documentation \u2013 it just doesn\u2019t happen to rightfully belong to them. Finally, the term \u201cworkers\u201d implies that all are gainfully employed, which many are not. But for the record, the seven million illegal aliens who do work are employed illegally and occupying jobs that rightfully belong to Americans. <\/p>\n
The alternative use of \u201cundocumented immigrants\u201d is just as empty. These aren\u2019t immigrants and this isn\u2019t immigration. America is suffering from a policy of chaos and a flood of 12 million lawbreakers. Swapping the term \u201calien\u201d for \u201cimmigrant\u201d when referring to those who have broken the law is offensive to many legal immigrants. The distinction between legal and illegal is important. Coming to the Unites States the right way is a badge of honor for most immigrants. <\/p>\n
There is no getting around it. The term \u201cillegal alien\u201d is the most legally precise, descriptive term in the lexicon. It delineates between one of only two possible categories; one either has legal status to be on U.S. soil or one is residing here illegally. \u201cIllegal\u201d means prohibited by law. Yes, entry without inspection into the U.S. is prohibited. And \u201calien\u201d is a term that refers to a person who is not a citizen of the country. The term is well defined in 8 U.S.C. Section 1101. It is used by legal professionals across the board including the United States Supreme Court. It\u2019s ok to say \u201cillegal alien.\u201d <\/p>\n
Use it, but use it correctly. Don\u2019t say someone is an illegal alien without the facts. That\u2019s unacceptable and you\u2019ll wind up in court. If based on due diligence, you have reason to believe the subject of a story is an illegal alien because credible sources have indicated he\/she may be, use \u201calleged\u201d illegal alien. But when the facts prove it and the circumstances are obvious, don\u2019t be coy. For example, when referring to five hundred people at a rally holding \u201cIllegal and Proud of It\u201d signs, your readers will appreciate you reporting it accurately as a crowd largely composed of illegal aliens. Don\u2019t water down stories about amnesty legislation for illegal aliens with references to \u201cundocumented workers.\u201d Why? Because amnesty legislation isn\u2019t about giving needed documents, it\u2019s about changing the law to erase the laws that were broken.<\/p>\n
Why go through the fuss of changing the term \u201cillegal alien\u201d anyways? Altered to even the most preposterous euphemism we all know what it means \u2013 a person is here when he\/she is not supposed to be. Leave well enough alone and avoid the hollow substitutes because ultimately, it takes more effort to conceal the truth than to reveal it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
George Carlin once observed, \u201cby and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.\u201d He may be giving us that wry head cock and raised eyebrow right now after the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) has decided to recommend that newsrooms refrain from using the terms \u201cillegal immigrant\u201d and illegal alien.\u201d The SPJ was<\/p>\n