Is the term "illegal immigrant" a slur?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is a partial transcript from "Hannity & Colmes", January 30, 2003, that has been edited for clarity.

ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST: Joining us now is San Francisco County supervisor Gerardo Sandoval. Good to have you with us, sir.

GERARDO SANDOVAL, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SUPERVISOR: Thank you.

COLMES: Would you say that "illegal immigrant," that phrase is as bad as the "n" word?

SANDOVAL: I think in, you know, 30, 40 years time when we look back, we will all realize, yes, it is as bad as the "n" word.

[...]

SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: Mr. Supervisor, it's Sean Hannity here. Welcome to the program. Thank you for being with us.

[...]

HANNITY: Why would it be -- why would you compare that accurate, truthful adjective with somebody who breaks the law. They're just saying you're here illegally. I mean, how do you go from there to the "n" word? That's insane.

SANDOVAL: Well, because there are lots of laws that are being broken and to suggest -- no disrespect for the law -- suggests that the laws are not legitimate.

HANNITY: No, but if you break the law, you're illegal. You're an illegal immigrant. You're not a legal immigrant. You're an illegal immigrant.

There's nothing racist, racial. There's no -- Frankly, I don't blame people from coming here when they don't have hope and opportunity. I don't blame them.

SANDOVAL: But the fact is, you don't refer to anybody except Latinos, really, as illegal immigrants, and there's a lot of illegal aliens from a lot of European countries...

HANNITY: Anybody from anywhere.

SANDOVAL: ... for example, who are here illegally. No one refers to them that way.

HANNITY: They're illegal immigrants. Anyone who does not respect our laws or our sovereignty is here illegally.

SANDOVAL: There are a lot of nannies in New York from Western Europe that no one would refer to as illegal immigrants.

HANNITY: No, sir. You're wrong.

SANDOVAL: They overstayed their visas.

HANNITY: Sir -- Sir, it is not a term for Hispanics only. It is a term for anybody that has entered this country without proper permission.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110178,00.html

[000OOO000 0]

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.

[anya-D 8]

This is a partial transcript from "Hannity & Colmes", January 30, 2003, that has been edited for clarity.

ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST: Joining us now is San Francisco County supervisor Gerardo Sandoval. Good to have you with us, sir.

GERARDO SANDOVAL, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SUPERVISOR: Thank you.

COLMES: Would you say that "illegal immigrant," that phrase is as bad as the "n" word?

SANDOVAL: I think in, you know, 30, 40 years time when we look back, we will all realize, yes, it is as bad as the "n" word.

[...]

SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: Mr. Supervisor, it's Sean Hannity here. Welcome to the program. Thank you for being with us.

[...]

HANNITY: Why would it be -- why would you compare that accurate, truthful adjective with somebody who breaks the law. They're just saying you're here illegally. I mean, how do you go from there to the "n" word? That's insane.

SANDOVAL: Well, because there are lots of laws that are being broken and to suggest -- no disrespect for the law -- suggests that the laws are not legitimate.

HANNITY: No, but if you break the law, you're illegal. You're an illegal immigrant. You're not a legal immigrant. You're an illegal immigrant.

There's nothing racist, racial. There's no -- Frankly, I don't blame people from coming here when they don't have hope and opportunity. I don't blame them.

SANDOVAL: But the fact is, you don't refer to anybody except Latinos, really, as illegal immigrants, and there's a lot of illegal aliens from a lot of European countries...

HANNITY: Anybody from anywhere.

SANDOVAL: ... for example, who are here illegally. No one refers to them that way.

HANNITY: They're illegal immigrants. Anyone who does not respect our laws or our sovereignty is here illegally.

SANDOVAL: There are a lot of nannies in New York from Western Europe that no one would refer to as illegal immigrants.

HANNITY: No, sir. You're wrong.

SANDOVAL: They overstayed their visas.

HANNITY: Sir -- Sir, it is not a term for Hispanics only. It is a term for anybody that has entered this country without proper permission.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110178,00.html

[nijusjaanu 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.

[dalegg 143]

I guess it would be more P.C to call them "illegal chinese" "illegal cubans" or "illegal mexicans". Yes, that sounds much better.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Alright, let's call them "legally challenged".

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

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.

Were you in Canada in violation of the terms of your visa?

[cmartyn 0]

Soon when a robber comes in your back door at night with a gun, if hes a minority you will have to just bend your wife over the table for them.. screw this #######.. Kick em all out now. Nannies and all.. Whats the big deal, we have to mow our own lawns now?

[nijusjaanu 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.

Were you in Canada in violation of the terms of your visa?

no. i was in canada, yes, but as a visitor. i never overstayed (came close, but i didn't). they accused me of marriage fraud. the said detaining me was "for my own good" because nizzar was "just looking for a visa" and that i was "stupid" for marrying him. insult to injury, if you ask me.

[Sister Fracas 5]

what should they be called???

[LibCampFireClub 635]

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.

Edited April 11, 2006 by fitnlivly

[Jenn! 918]

Come on, people.

[onwa 6]

It doesn't matter what they are called. In time--all terms will seem derogatory. Remember when we used to say that person was 'retarded' then it became 'mentally challenged' and then 'special needs'. bad conotations happen with any new term you use beacuse people the state they are in 'whatever you want to call it' has not changed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

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.

Were you in Canada in violation of the terms of your visa?

no. i was in canada, yes, but as a visitor. i never overstayed (came close, but i didn't). they accused me of marriage fraud. the said detaining me was "for my own good" because nizzar was "just looking for a visa" and that i was "stupid" for marrying him. insult to injury, if you ask me.

Ok. Why were you called an illegal immigrant if you were within the duration of your visitor visa?

[nijusjaanu 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.

jesus christ! i'm just saying that sometimes there's more to it than what's on the surface. i agree that the people who sneek over the border and intentionally stay here without any right to ARE criminals and should be punished for it. but sometimes there's more to it.