civilservant

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...rtation-mexico

Yet more sob stories from the Guardian. 'What ever will do... leave my 4 US born children behind?' - Should have had then in Mexico then.

I am beginning to be very intolerant of immigration offenders and their entitled attitudes.

scrubbedexpat099

The children are Mexican Citizens.

Giantaxe

I don't have much sympathy either, but it seems a weird priority, especially given that "early figures suggest that Trump has not yet increased deportation numbers substantially over the levels sustained by Barack Obama".

scrubbedexpat099

Actually the numbers have gone down compared to Obama, not that you would think that was the case reading the likes of the Graun.

Graun and its ilk seem to be doing Trump a favour.

Giantaxe

They are pointing out the change in emphasis, which is news. One theory is they are targeting the splitting up of families in order to discourage future such "illegal immigrants".

Leslie

I was using (sorry I should have used "air quotes" for those who don't understand sarcasm and irony) Pulaski's own words to make a point.

The term that is most hurtful, as you well know, is to refer to human beings as "illegals".

Please stop trolling me and seek professional help.

Rete

I'm not particularly attuned to PC terminology but your post leaves me shaking my head. Why is the term illegal when referring to aliens who are in the US or elsewhere without permission to be there hurtful? It is IMHO an accurate description. Their presence is illegal - period, end of sentence. Do you and the PC crowd prefer the term "unlawful"?

morpeth

I don't know enough about the definition of "trolling" and if anything thought if one made a post agreeing with someone that certainly wouldn't be considering "trolling". I respond to various posts on BE forums, and regardless of different points of view I assume we are all here to learn form each other.

You are correct you explained previously, contrary to experience I have had with people in the country without papers who use the same term themselves , that using the word "illegals" some consider hurtful- and realizing that on BE forums one has to always pay hyper-attention to such things, out of politeness if nothing else I actually try to careful not to use that phrase after our prior conversation.

It would be pretty boring if we only responded to people we agreed with. And whether I agree with you or not about various issues I always find your posts
thought-provoking and have often had to re-consider opinions I have held from various posts I have read on BE forums.

Leslie

Honestly, I don't GAF what terminology people use. It's up to anybody to use whatever language they want. When you refer to somebody's presence as illegal then that's not particularly incendiary in my mind.

Sometimes when somebody keeps referring to people as "illegals" then I do wonder if they even realize that is a term that the people, that are being referred to, find hurtful. If you know that, and choose to continue to use the word, then more power to you. Free speech.

Are there any other groups of human lawbreakers that you can think of that are referred to as "illegals" ? Tax evaders? People who have a bunch of speeding tickets? Their actions are illegal yet it's very rare that we label people like we do undocumented people or people who have overstayed their visas. Such labeling is usually reserved to dehumanize the most heinous of groups like pedophiles and murderers.

Words can start out meaning one thing, and through usage, can become pejoratives. We know that the word nigger is derived from the Spanish/French/Portuguese word for black. Through usage (meaning the way that the word was used against black people) it became offensive.

Anyway, I'm not going to get dragged back into this. If the individual doesn't care about the weight of their own words, why should I? Everybody just go ahead and enjoy using whatever words you like ... who cares what anybody else thinks or how they feel? Right?

scrubbedexpat099

There is Legal Alien, Legal Permanent Resident, so what would be contrary, who calls themselves Documented?

Giantaxe

We talk about legal age and underage drinkers, but we don't talk about illegal age drinkers.

hungryhorace

s/legal/lawful

Gordon Barlow

Surely the most appropriate term for a resident who is not a legal immigrant would be "visitor". I was going to say "expat", but that implies legality of residence. But I really don't see why "illegal immigrant" should ever be considered offensive, except by the most precious of snowflakes. It is what it is.

Leslie

The original conversation (in another thread) wasn't about the term "illegal immigrant". It was about referring to people as "illegals". Morpeth was trolling and trying to conflate two different things. It is interesting to see how easily you are to manipulate and how quick you are to foam at the mouth. It also explains why the RT propaganda works so well on you. The "precious snowflakes" is something you've started parroting a lot lately. How very alt-right of you! You'll be calling us all cucks next.

mrken30

Maybe D-mented ?

in landlord speak they would be called an unauthorized occupant.