Wording it

Please reconsider your policy of using the euphemism “undocumented immigrant” rather than the more accurate term, “illegal immigrant.” While the former is recommended by the Associated Press, many news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, ignore the AP and use the latter term. As Newsweek said, people who enter a country unlawfully cannot be undocumented because they in fact possess documentation, such as drivers’ licenses and school IDs.

In addition to being a euphemism, the term “undocumented immigrant” is an underhanded attempt to psychologically manipulate readers into feeling less hostile to those who enter the country unlawfully. Readers know the press is lying when it uses manipulative, dishonest language. Readers want you to use honest vocabulary, not phony talk.

Johanna Lee Santa Fe