General Discussion

hunter

(40,933 posts)

55. I call them people, or neighbors.

Reply to Cheese Sandwich (Original post)

Mon Jun 29, 2015, 10:12 AM

Jun 2015

Personally, I've never had reason to consider anyone's immigration status.

(I'm not the sort who hires anyone, mostly because I never have any money...)

This "immigration" problem would go away if we had tough labor laws to prevent the abuse of *ANY* workers, and living wages. Strong international Unions would be a great thing too, to resist the abuses of international corporations.

Immigrants are frequently treated as disposable workers who can be abused and cheated out of fair wages because they are afraid of being deported, and rightfully afraid in many places of U.S. "authorities" who are racist assholes, bullies, flunkies, and anti-union goons.

Both your terms piss me off, but the politically correct (and rightfully so) term "undocumented" is a much less offensive expression when talking to people who are naive about these issues.

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Highlight:

Would you say "illegal immigrants" or "undocumented" ? [View all] Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 OP

Undocumented. n/t GP6971 Jun 2015 #1

Undocumented AuntPatsy Jun 2015 #2

Undocumented. azmom Jun 2015 #3

In the real world either works. -none Jun 2015 #4

Human beings are not illegal brush Jun 2015 #5

Can a human be undocumented? GummyBearz Jun 2015 #10

This is a progressive site, come on brush Jun 2015 #15

is it a "repug" talking point to say they are scabs who help force wages down? KittyWampus Jun 2015 #16

OFF TOPIC! nt brush Jun 2015 #20

Tangents are allowed in sub-threads. Please answer the question. nt ChisolmTrailDem Jun 2015 #96

Love the Bernie pic... randys1 Jun 2015 #104

WTH, it's not even your question. brush Jun 2015 #184

Yes, and we educated folks shouldn't keep getting hung up on wording GummyBearz Jun 2015 #21

"progressive" site? - look at all the threads trashing the south DrDan Jun 2015 #42

Is their target the people or the policies? brush Jun 2015 #45

and that applies throughout the U.S. - not exclusively the South DrDan Jun 2015 #49

True! brush Jun 2015 #52

Agreed randys1 Jun 2015 #105

? An undocumented immigrant is one who immigrates into a country without immigration documents merrily Jun 2015 #205

Their actions can be. nt Romulox Jun 2015 #61

Not all are here at DU for the same reasons CreekDog Jun 2015 #123

The phrase "illegal immigrant" doesn't mean the person is illegal it means their immigration PoliticAverse Jun 2015 #127

As the Supreme Court has explained, being undocumented is not a crime. Luminous Animal Jun 2015 #150

Again speaking to the "illegal immigrant" phrase, you are no more saying that the person themself PoliticAverse Jun 2015 #160

I take my cue from GG.....he calls them illegal.....me, undocumented msanthrope Jun 2015 #202

Captain Obvious comes to mind brush Jun 2015 #185

True but the saying is short for treestar Jun 2015 #162

Illegal entry into the country is ... illegal. earthside Jun 2015 #203

That's your opinion, everybody has one of those too. nt brush Jun 2015 #210

undocumented oldandhappy Jun 2015 #6

Undocumented is more polite. roody Jun 2015 #7

No...there were no laws therefore nothing was illegal.. pipoman Jun 2015 #11

the folks in the Caribbean had no laws when he arrived? CreekDog Jun 2015 #128

I doubt any stone age people had immigration laws. EX500rider Jun 2015 #179

They weren't stone age when Columbus arrived CreekDog Jun 2015 #181

So you think the Arawak/Taino/Carib tribes were in the Iron age or Bronze age? EX500rider Jun 2015 #183

You're just peddling stereotypes here CreekDog Jun 2015 #186

In other words they were in the Stone Age and had likely zero laws concerning immigration. EX500rider Jun 2015 #192

They probably had at least a vague guideline about not killing and enslaving everyone Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #194

Certainly.. EX500rider Jun 2015 #195

I think you mentioned sometime ago that you worked in some sort of legal profession CreekDog Jun 2015 #131

Native americans had laws. They just were disregarded by Europeans: freshwest Jun 2015 #207

Yeah, bottom line.. pipoman Jun 2015 #212

nice impression of Archie Bunker CreekDog Jun 2015 #209

Maybe you can link to the text of the 1492 immigration laws? pipoman Jun 2015 #213

Yeah, thats what I thought...just talkin' shit...maybe some idiotic pm's might help? pipoman Jul 2015 #217

Ah, then you admit that you were just talking sh*t CreekDog Jul 2015 #219

personally Kali Jun 2015 #8

Undocumented. Daemonaquila Jun 2015 #9

Undocumented people. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #12

I call them desperate for a better life....I have pondered pipoman Jun 2015 #13

+1. Hoyt Jun 2015 #23

Thank you. People don't seem to understand azmom Jun 2015 #74

Immigrants riderinthestorm Jun 2015 #14

That's what I use. kentauros Jun 2015 #37

Are you saying that any person who can make it here should have the right to come? brooklynite Jun 2015 #71

And where did they come from? kentauros Jun 2015 #84

Undocumented. Anyone who knows what an H2-B visa is knows and understands Xipe Totec Jun 2015 #17

+ 1 azmom Jun 2015 #77

We need to have better slang describing the 'slave masters' that hire them and 'guest workers' cascadiance Jun 2015 #153

Legally they're called undocumented aliens. herding cats Jun 2015 #18

Undocumented is more PC Renew Deal Jun 2015 #19

Undocumented. No human being is illegal Their actions may be but their existence is not. Luminous Animal Jun 2015 #22

Neither. I use "illegal aliens". lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #24

yep 840high Jun 2015 #29

Doesn't sound like a Bernie fan at all RandiFan1290 Jun 2015 #40

That is not Bernie like at all. azmom Jun 2015 #78

Because immigrants don't have hearts for their family members? merrily Jun 2015 #31

Immigrants bring their families. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #54

Absolutely not true, nt COLGATE4 Jun 2015 #58

By definition, immigrants to the US are permanent residents here. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #65

Only those who are documented. Or are you saying that COLGATE4 Jun 2015 #66

Read this link. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #70

OK. I read the whole thing. So what? COLGATE4 Jun 2015 #73

You asked what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #79

I like you. Lumber_jeff. Thank you for defending my azmom Jun 2015 #83

Thanks lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #85

I wasn't clear. I was thanking you for being an ally. azmom Jun 2015 #89

his initial response shows how charitable you are CreekDog Jun 2015 #137

you responded by posting Mexico's immigration laws? CreekDog Jun 2015 #136

he's not defending them CreekDog Jun 2015 #135

Absolutely false. Immigrants from all countries were unable to bring their families, be it merrily Jun 2015 #68

Thank you. Ms. Toad Jun 2015 #124

wow DonCoquixote Jun 2015 #116

you making stuff up again? CreekDog Jun 2015 #134

Completely untrue metalbot Jun 2015 #163

Do you understand that many (if not a majority) of COLGATE4 Jun 2015 #56

So the Chinese, Indian, and Filipino "immigrants" aren't really immigrants either, right? Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #59

Are they permanent residents? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #69

Yes, many of the Mexican immigrants are permanent residents Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #87

Subject to deportation = permanent resident? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #98

Mexicans comprise more than one quarter (~28%) of all immigrants. Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #111

This thread is about illegal foreign workers. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #118

You focused on Mexicans in the upthread post Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #139

66,000 work visas were issued to Mexican citizens last year. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #151

And half of those undocumented workers aren't from Mexico Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #155

No, 6 million represents half of the 12 million unauthorized population. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #159

I was responding to your last line Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #177

many of the undocumented coming from Mexico aren't even Mexican CreekDog Jun 2015 #193

I hope you have asbestos underwear? 4Q2u2 Jun 2015 #76

I get mail. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #80

of course you use that term CreekDog Jun 2015 #100

Other abilities aside, you demonstrably have a good memory. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #103

Have you considered that when you say things for effect, they tend to be memorable? CreekDog Jun 2015 #120

If you found it a slur, it says more about you than me. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #125

My wife is a legal immigrant from the Philippines and we still send money to her family there pampango Jun 2015 #109

Pew built an interactive tool to show remittances. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #113

so now you're saying that all "temporary foreign workers" are (your term) "illegal aliens"? CreekDog Jun 2015 #140

Writing may be creative. Reading should not be. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #141

Yes, your posts about laws and immigrants are "creative writing" CreekDog Jun 2015 #143

Those of us who are foreigners in Korea are referred to as aliens as well davidpdx Jun 2015 #199

Undocumented lunamagica Jun 2015 #25

You could believe Reply 24? merrily Jun 2015 #32

host of DU's men's rights group, just sayin' nt geek tragedy Jun 2015 #46

There's no such thing as a "DU men's rights group". lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #63

where does the phrase "illegal alien" appear? nt geek tragedy Jun 2015 #64

Really? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #72

ah: geek tragedy Jun 2015 #82

I avoid euphemisms. Especially meaningless (undocumented) and/or misleading (immigrant) ones. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #99

a term provided by the IRS is a euphemism? nt geek tragedy Jun 2015 #101

That's why the IRS put it "in quotes". lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #106

so your choice reflects nothing more than a strict adherence to the text of geek tragedy Jun 2015 #129

Dictionaries and the law aren't enough? n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #161

So, "illegal aliens" is the correct term, and terms like "undocumented geek tragedy Jun 2015 #164

Not at all. It's also "pro cheap labor" nonsense. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #165

Hmmmm. geek tragedy Jun 2015 #169

Which crowd whines? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #174

American Labor wants an end to all immigration? geek tragedy Jun 2015 #175

You DO USE euphemisms. You asked me if I had a learning disability euphemistically CreekDog Jun 2015 #107

Here's a link to the US code. The entire body of law in the US. How many hits for "undocumented"? lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #110

do you use the term "negro"? what about "crippled"? CreekDog Jun 2015 #112

Now you're calling me a racist? n/t lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #115

Don't try to play a game with me, you brought up the US Code to justify using "illegal alien" CreekDog Jun 2015 #122

I'm not calling you racist, but what does this post mean? CreekDog Jun 2015 #144

In fairness, this was before I learned the purpose of your polls. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #152

I can't be applying my poll to this because I don't even remember how you answered CreekDog Jun 2015 #168

I have no control over what you "wonder". lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #172

Sure you do. I wouldn't wonder about that if you didn't post it. CreekDog Jun 2015 #191

Verdad? WTF azmom Jun 2015 #90

Most fall under "undocumented innocents" in my book Exultant Democracy Jun 2015 #26

Oh gud gawd. Iggo Jun 2015 #27

Undocumented immigrants MrBig Jun 2015 #28

Undocumented immigrants merrily Jun 2015 #30

Undocumented. I'm involved with a group that tries to advise these workers on their rights and Cleita Jun 2015 #33

Where I live, I call them my neighbors...nt GReedDiamond Jun 2015 #34

I call them my families. roody Jun 2015 #35

Illegal immigrants. "Undocumented" is a deliberate attempt at obfuscation. Donald Ian Rankin Jun 2015 #36

This group also has not JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #39

Do you know any as friends or have family members who are? CreekDog Jun 2015 #142

Your profile says that you're from England, and that you're in England CreekDog Jun 2015 #211

Tough one JustAnotherGen Jun 2015 #38

When I have to teach about this subject, I use undocumented migrants... a la izquierda Jun 2015 #41

"Illegal immigrant" is misleading Recursion Jun 2015 #43

I don't care about the grammar of "illegal immigrant." Vattel Jun 2015 #44

Lots of things are deeply offensive. Igel Jun 2015 #50

I use both... but... Adrahil Jun 2015 #47

"illegal immigrants" rock Jun 2015 #48

Actually, you got me to thinking rock Jun 2015 #57

Undocumented or unauthorized MineralMan Jun 2015 #51

One is true, other not always true HassleCat Jun 2015 #53

I call them people, or neighbors. hunter Jun 2015 #55

"Illegal immigrants" or "cheap labor for the 1%". nt Romulox Jun 2015 #60

I say undocumented IVoteDFL Jun 2015 #62

I live in L.A. and call the people who call imigrants names olddots Jun 2015 #67

How about we find out what their names are and use their names? yellowcanine Jun 2015 #75

I hope you realize dumbcat Jun 2015 #81

My goodness. If you can't defend your own opinions, or you just want to be part of a clique... hunter Jun 2015 #92

Many people wish to be part of a clique dumbcat Jun 2015 #93

So what do you think? hunter Jun 2015 #173

I think dumbcat Jun 2015 #182

I have many "unapproved" opinions here, and I defend them with great vigor. hunter Jun 2015 #200

Sometimes there are wrong (no quotes) answers. Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #94

Exactly the point I was trying to make dumbcat Jun 2015 #154

You're welcome. Posters should understand that right wing nonsense doesn't belong here. n/t Gormy Cuss Jun 2015 #157

Some are economic refugees. Kalidurga Jun 2015 #86

So many great responses. Thanks for your thoughts! Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #88

Is there a commonly accepted LEGAL term? And if there is... cherokeeprogressive Jun 2015 #91

Yes there is, and there are a variety of reasons for the quibbling. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2015 #95

Like I said, I think all the white, uninvited immigrants are people first. randys1 Jun 2015 #130

I think if people referred to men as you're referring what you call "illegal aliens" CreekDog Jun 2015 #171

White rights, states rights, white flights, etc. They all have the same attitude about all non randys1 Jun 2015 #176

Illegal immigrants Prism Jun 2015 #97

I am a legal immigrant and feel 840high Jun 2015 #117

That's my experience Prism Jun 2015 #119

We went through legal channels - took 840high Jun 2015 #188

She's an interesting woman Prism Jun 2015 #189

She sounds like the Mexcian family 840high Jun 2015 #190

you're asking us to disregard the polling data because of what you say your sister thinks? CreekDog Jun 2015 #146

I'm explaining my experience Prism Jun 2015 #156

I consider all white people in America first as people, then as uninvited occupants randys1 Jun 2015 #102

Doesn't really matter to me. Inkfreak Jun 2015 #108

"Undocumented Worker" dos not carry the negative stigma of "Illegal Immigrant." Agnosticsherbet Jun 2015 #114

As I don't call anyone doing five miles an hour over the posted speed limit an 'illegal driver' LanternWaste Jun 2015 #121

Do you call someone driving without a driver's license an "illegal driver" or "undocumented driver"? PoliticAverse Jun 2015 #132

No, that person would be referred to as an unlicensed driver. Luminous Animal Jun 2015 #166

Still looking to validate that bias, eh? Unlicensed driver would be accurate. LanternWaste Jun 2015 #178

This message was self-deleted by its author hughee99 Jun 2015 #180

I would call them by their name Facility Inspector Jun 2015 #126

'foreign nationals'. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2015 #133

I say "Undocumented". DawgHouse Jun 2015 #138

I tend to call them "immigrants." Orrex Jun 2015 #145

Undocumented. No human is illegal. n/t Raine1967 Jun 2015 #147

What would you say? Raine1967 Jun 2015 #148

I try to use a term that doesn't make people think I hate them CreekDog Jun 2015 #149

I'm OK with illegal immigrant LynnTTT Jun 2015 #158

Undocumented. nt avebury Jun 2015 #167

Neither. I call them "people". Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2015 #170

Looks like nativist underground checked in today. Starry Messenger Jun 2015 #187

I thought it would be closer to unanimous with maybe a couple dissenters Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #196

I'm so glad they weren't in charge when my peeps came here about 500 years ago. freshwest Jun 2015 #206

Undocumented... Sancho Jun 2015 #197

I agree Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #198

Aliens? Katashi_itto Jun 2015 #201

Refugees. okasha Jun 2015 #204

I call them people who contribute infinitely more than tens of millions of 'muricans Sen. Walter Sobchak Jun 2015 #208

Undocumented. ananda Jun 2015 #214

No I would just say "immigrants" and welcome them, find them some work. nt bemildred Jun 2015 #215

People aren't illegal. n/t Orsino Jun 2015 #216

. astral Jul 2015 #218

Undocumented. KamaAina Jul 2015 #220