# They're illegal aliens; stop making up other names for them. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468 "2013-03-20T17:16:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/1 "2013-03-20T17:16:51Z")
It seems to pop up in the press a lot: people born outside the US who snuck in, or overstayed their visa, and are now in violation of the law by their very presence get referred to as “undocumented workers,” “unauthorized immigrants,” and various other terms - all of which seem designed to avoid drawing attention to the fact that they are not from here and are breaking the law. They’re not “unauthorized:” they did not forget to obtain permission from the school principal or their parents. They did not neglect to obtain a building permit. They’re not “undocumented:” it’s entirely possible they have a passport or other documentation. That doesn’t mean they are here legally. They’re not “workers:” they may or may not have a job. Maybe they’re students. Maybe they’re thieves. Maybe they’re stay-at-home spouses. Maybe they’re political refugees. They’re not “immigrants:” “immigrant” is a status on your visa, like “student” or tourist." If you have an expired visa (or none at all), then that status no longer applies. If your presence in this country is a violation of US immigration law, then you are an illegal alien. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/2 "2013-03-20T17:27:14Z")
racist ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/3 "2013-03-20T17:28:01Z")
Dehumanizing language remains dehumanizing. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/4 "2013-03-20T17:28:56Z")
If you go over the speed limit, you’re an “illegal driver.” I don’t think it’s very catchy, and wouldn’t mind another term. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/5 "2013-03-20T17:30:30Z")
I bet this guy’s a blast at parties. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/6 "2013-03-20T17:35:39Z")
> [@machine elf](#): > > it seems to pop up in the press a lot: People born outside the us who snuck in, or overstayed their visa, and are now in violation of the law by their very presence get referred to as “undocumented workers,” “unauthorized immigrants,” and various other terms - all of which seem designed to avoid drawing attention to the fact that they are not from here and are breaking the law. > > They’re not “unauthorized:” they did not forget to obtain permission from the school principal or their parents. They did not neglect to obtain a building permit. unauthorized is also a correct term > [@](#): > > they’re not “undocumented:” it’s entirely possible they have a passport or other documentation. That doesn’t mean they are here legally. they are, in fact, undocumented > [@](#): > > they’re not “workers:” they may or may not have a job. Maybe they’re students. Maybe they’re thieves. Maybe they’re stay-at-home spouses. Maybe they’re political refugees. many, perhaps most of them are workers in some way or othr, > [@](#): > > they’re not “immigrants:” “immigrant” is a status on your visa, like “student” or tourist." if you have an expired visa (or none at all), then that status no longer applies. an immigrant is one who has migrated to another country. They are immigrants. > [@](#): > > if your presence in this country is a violation of us immigration law, then you are an illegal alien. yes, that is _one_ way to refer to them. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/7 "2013-03-20T17:41:14Z")
I kinda’ agree with the OP except I think “illegal aliens” is somewhat purposefully harsh. What about “illegal workers”? ---
**Author:** ![EMCEE\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5ac83/32.png) [@EMCEE\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EMCEE_98)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/8 "2013-03-20T17:44:36Z")
We are all “illegal aliens.” ---
**Author:** ![Lightlystarched](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Lightlystarched](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightlystarched)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/9 "2013-03-20T17:47:21Z")
How about “exploited-citizens”? They do all the hard work, and yet get none of the protections. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/10 "2013-03-20T17:48:39Z")
The OP is right, because as we all know the term “illegal aliens” was handed down by God himself on tablets of fire and is written in the stars. It’s an immutable and inarguable law of nature that that’s what these people must be called at all times. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/11 "2013-03-20T17:49:21Z")
I’m quite sure the OP is one of those “English Only” freaks. Too bad he had no idea how his beloved Mother Tongue actually _works_. (Not that other languages are simplistic. But English is especially rich in multiple means of expression.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/12 "2013-03-20T17:54:12Z")
**Inhuman Fairy** makes a good point with the OP. We should only allow his choice of words for everything! ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/13 "2013-03-20T18:03:13Z")
Yes, some new terminology is needed. I think we should call them brothers/sisters. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/14 "2013-03-20T18:06:57Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > If your presence in this country is a violation of US immigration law, then you are an illegal alien. So why aren’t those legally here referred to as _legal_ aliens? ETA: I know _technically_ they may be but not in common jargon. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/15 "2013-03-20T18:08:07Z")
Because they’re white, duh. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/16 "2013-03-20T18:15:02Z")
They are “Poopy Pants.” Why libruls insist on calling them anything else is beyond me. We should ship them all out. Let’s take a cue from Republican-controlled Florida and kick those Poopy Pants out . . . what’s that you say? Strong agricultural/business interests want to have those Poopy Pants out there working the fields at next-to-no income? Ok, I guess we’ll let the Poopy Pants (who make up 5% of the FL population, by the way) stay. But we’ll still call them names. That way we will show that we are true Americans. Not like those libruls! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/17 "2013-03-20T18:18:29Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I kinda’ agree with the OP except I think “illegal aliens” is somewhat purposefully harsh. What about “illegal workers”? Workers? All they ever do is stand around at the edge of the Home Depot parking lot! Buncha freeloaders! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/18 "2013-03-20T18:24:35Z")
Yes, the proper term is “Englishmen in New York”. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/19 "2013-03-20T18:32:20Z")
> [@saje](#): > > unauthorized is also a correct term Gimme a break. Have you ever referred to a bank robber as an “unauthorized borrower?” > [@](#): > > they are, in fact, undocumented If you have a passport from another country but you’ve overstayed your tourist visa, then you are not undocumented. Since someone here illegally may or may not be documented, “undocumented” is not a reliable term. Moreover, documentation (or lack thereof) is not the issue at the heart of the matter. > [@](#): > > many, perhaps most of them are workers in some way or othr, Since they may or may not be workers, “worker” is not a reliable term. Moreover, their employment status is not the issue at the heart of the matter. > [@](#): > > an immigrant is one who has migrated to another country. They are immigrants. An immigrant is someone who has come here to settle permanently. Someone who has come here illegally may or may not be intending to stay permanently. As such, “immigrant” is not a reliable term. > [@Marley23](#): > > The OP is right, because as we all know the term “illegal aliens” was handed down by God himself on tablets of fire and is written in the stars. It’s an immutable and inarguable law of nature that that’s what these people must be called at all times. Not a law of nature, but a law of man. “Alien” is an official legal term defined by The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It is more broad than student, worker, immigrant, housewife, or pretty much any other term you can think of, and is therefore most appropriate in general discussions of those who have come here from another country. > [@PSXr](#): > > racist Hardly. I married a Japanese woman eight years ago. We did a lot of paperwork together to obtain her green card and then her citizenship, and we both get annoyed when we hear of concessions being made to people who have deliberately sidestepped the whole process. > [@ambivalid](#): > > So why aren’t those legally here referred to as legal aliens? They rarely come up in discussion as a single group. ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468/20 "2013-03-20T18:32:42Z")
I don’t believe for a second that “illegal aliens” is the term you use when hanging out at Jim Bob’s Diesel Depot with like-minded folk, FYI. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-illegal-aliens-stop-making-up-other-names-for-them/653468.md?page=2)