AP Takes a Step Into the New Century -- Drops Use of Phrase, "Illegal Immigrant"

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Last edited Tue Apr 2, 2013, 04:14 PM - Edit history (1)

The Associated Press Stylebook is dropping the phrase "illegal immigrant" to describe people who either entered the country illegally or are overstaying a visa.

"The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term 'illegal immigrant' or the use of 'illegal' to describe a person," AP Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll said in a blog post. "Instead, it tells users that 'illegal' should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally."

Under the new guidelines, the relevant Sylebook entry now reads:

"Illegal immigration: Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or criminal law. Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use illegal only to refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant. Acceptable variations include living in or entering a country illegally or without legal permission."

Immigration activists had long called for the change, claiming that "illegal immigrant" stigmatizes residents.


read: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/associated-press-drops-use-of-illegal-immigrant

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