What Part of “Illegal Alien” Don’t You Understand?

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Bee

Marcos Breton of the Sacramento Bee wrote a column that begins, “It can’t be stated often enough that the term `illegal alien’ is deeply hypocritical and prejudicial.”   More on alien terminology here.

As you know, I love reading the comments following on-line news stories and here is one on Breton’s column that jumped out at me:

 “Should we just swap out `illegal alien’ with `undocumented democrat’?

Here is another memorable comment, with my snarky editorializing in bold sentence by sentence:

“This article is a slap in the face to the thousands of people waiting to become US citizens legally.”

KJ:  The law is a bit different than described, with too problems of understanding conflated in one sentence to correct them all.  Let me focus on a single error in analysis.  One must be a lawful immigrant in order to eventually become eligible for U.S. citizenship.  For someone who emphasizes the law, you think this person would read the law.

“Illegals are criminals and should be sent back to Mexico.”

KJ:  Again, the commenter should read the law; not all “Illegals are criminals,” although some who were previously deported may be criminally liable for unlawful reentry into the United States. Nor are all “illegals” from Mexico.  I assume that the commenter does not think that we should deport Canadian immigrants to Mexico.  But, then again, who can be sure?

“However, none of this really matters because we are passed the tipping point thanks to illegal immigration.”

KJ:  What “tipping point”?  Is this in some law?   Too many Mexicans?  Mexican immigrants?  Undocumented Mexicans?

“People from Mexico are on their way to becoming the majority in California.” 

KJ:  OK, now I understand.  The issue really is too many Mexicans.  It is true that Latinos are headed toward becoming a majority of the Golden State’s population but it is not evident that this is the result of “illegal immigration.”  Many legal immigrants from Mexico and Central America — indeed all of Latin American come to California, which was once part of Mexico and long has had a substantial Mexican ancestry population.

“The passage of the Dream Act is an example of how Mexicans are now in charge of California.”

KJ:  This comment exudes resentment that “Mexicans are now in charge in California.”  Guess immigration isn’t the true concern.  `Nuff said.

“I guess that I’d better start learning how to speak spanish.”

KJ:  The language referred to as “spanish” is correctly spelled Spanish, not “spanish,” in English.  Here’s a tip for the commenter:  you might want to work on your English before attempting to learn Spanish. By the way, Spanish is español (not Español) in Spanish.  Count that as your first Spanish lesson!

KJ