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This Headline Is Long Overdue: Associated Press Drops 'Illegal Immigrant' From Stylebook

Labeling people as illegal dehumanizes the person and it creates a subclass of people. I have always had visceral negative reaction whenever the word is uttered.
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Executive Director, Gamaliel Foundation

Executive Director, Gamaliel Foundation
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The Associated Press announced April 2 that they will no longer use the term 'illegal immigrant' to describe people who are living in the country without citizenship. Associated Press dropped it from the AP Stylebook, a book of print rules considered the grammar bible for most newspaper editors and reporters as well as others.

On behalf of the organization I lead, Gamaliel -- one million strong -- a sincere thank you to Associated Press. But I also have to say "it's about time" and "long overdue." And I have follow-up questions. What took you so long? How can a human being ever be illegal?

Labeling people as illegal dehumanizes the person and it creates a subclass of people. I have always had visceral negative reaction whenever the word is uttered.

I do not subscribe to censorship but I do believe in good judgment and dropping the term is the smart thing to do for it restores dignity to the 11 million people here waiting for their path to citizenship.

SI SE PUEDE!

Ana Garcia-Ashley
Executive Director of Gamaliel

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