Illegal vs. Undocumented: The Language of Immigration
Lou Dobbs Tonight on CNN this afternoon ran several pieces on illegal immigration and how several major presidential candidates are beginning to take position on this issue. It was not so much the content of the segments that were so striking, but the rhetoric of this and all immigration coverage. While watching how CNN connected illegal immigration to gang violence and a "new American mafia", I began wondering how different the coverage would be without the term "illegal alien". Without a doubt many conversations about border control and immigration issues would look much different if popular media used 'undocumented workers' instead. Illegal alien and undocumented worker convey two separate messages about tolerance and inequality.
We have discussed the power of language and the media in issues of social stratification and it is particularly evident regarding immigration. Using the term illegal to describe a human being immediately identifies them as an 'criminal' whether or not those individuals are making honest attempts at citizenship or living peacefully in the United States. How can a human by nature be illegal? If what makes them 'illegal' in this country is the absence of proper documentation, why not use the obvious and more descriptive term 'undocumented?'
Even more obvious is the use of 'alien', which instantly identifies undocumented workers as an other and foreign. Even though 'alien' references The Alien and Sedition Acts, many Americans seem to connect the term with science fiction and a being from outer space. Using workers again clarifies the current situation and states the reality that the majority of people come to the United States seeking work and economic relief.
I argue that the current administration continues to use this term as a way to generate unnecessary fear and intolerance for the immigrant population in the U.S. Unable to control an issue resulting from free-market trade and globalization, by treating undocumented workers as illegal aliens the issue moves to the individual level. The issue becomes individuals being deviant from the American hardworking honest ethic rather than a systemic political oppression of a population.
Many organizations are beginning to speak out about the usage of illegal alien and illegal immigration both in popular media and in current legislation. It is much easier for the major media outlets like CNN to connect illegal aliens to gang violence since they are already seen as criminals. However, 'undocumented workers' eliminates the swirling negativity and oppression around immigration. I urge everyone to consider how conversations around immigration would be largely different if we witnessed a change in language.
Comments
I found this media journal very interesting and think you did a very good job at critically analyzing the publication! The language that Americans use completely perpetuates inequality throughout the world. Not only does the term “illegal alien� have extremely negative connotations, but it does not refer typically refer to all illegal immigrants.
I challenge the class to answer these questions truthfully…When you imagine an “illegal alien� what kind of person do you think of? What race, what physical characteristics does this person possess?
Interesting, how the majority of Americans immediately think of individuals from South America as illegal immigrants, although they may not admit it. However, the term “illegal immigrant� does not by definition incorporate race. South Americans have been portrayed by the media as “breaking the borders� of the United States, but isn’t it possible that individuals from countries other than South America emigrate illegally? Perhaps it is the negative perception of illegal minorities from South America that fuels the label “illegal alien.�
Furthermore, I did a speech last year on this very topic and soon learned how difficult it is to legitimately obtain citizenship in the United States. I asked my class a variety of randomly selected questions from the United States citizenship test and was astounded when only one man stated that he could have answered all questions asked right. If we as American citizens couldn’t pass the United States Citizenship Test, how could we expect those who do not speak English as a first language to pass?
…And the test isn’t the only requirement immigrants must meet! They have to take a variety of medical tests (often including tests for HIV/AIDS), pay large application fees, and submit insane amounts of paperwork to even be CONSIDERED for admittance. This process alone could take years, even decades!
With requirements like these, it is no wonder why individuals immigrate to the United States illegally!! When left with no other option, who wouldn’t?!?
Posted by: maggie | March 6, 2007 7:51 PM
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Posted by: Shane Ainge | September 6, 2010 9:50 AM