The Associated Press Scraps Term: ‘Illegal Immigrants’

The Associated Press issued a style ruling this week that symbolizes much in the debate over immigration.

It dropped the term “illegal immigrant.”

Here’s the new entry in the style guide:

“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.”

Advocates like Monica Novoa have been pushing for this change for years.

“It’s legally inaccurate, dehumanizing and racially charged,” says Novoa.