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>> PEGGY PICO: The AP's rationale is the word "illegal" refers to an action not a person,
KPBS adopted the same for these reasons. >>> KPBS decided undocumented immigrant and
illegal immigrant were distracting for our stories, and we decided to avoid both.
>> PEGGY PICO: Some argue the change it about political rather than grammatical correctness.
Alan Wayne necessity posted this, illegal immigrant is exactly what they are and they
broke the law to get here. Quit trying to be politically correct, what's
next, can't someone a serial killer? Should we call them an aggressive person bent
on life taking? Joining me is immigration attorney, Liliana
Vaszues and grant Barrett. Luliana, what do people have to say about
this term? >> I don't think people are aware that the
label has changed, but I can tell you how they refer to themselves.
When people call me I would say how did they enter the country and they would tell my like
everyone else and I would say "without documents?" And they would say yes.
They refer to themselves as not having papers. They don't label themselves as illegal aliens,
they don't say, "this is Joe Garcia and I'm an illegal alien.
"But I think when the word gets out they will see it as a human mannizing term getting rid of
the word "illegal" by itself is a big, big step
>> PEGGY PICO: In reference to the term, grant, if has a lit Cal history.
>>> The debate refers to a 2005 memo released by Republican strategist Frank Luntz and in
the memo he describes the language that should be used to discuss immigration and he uses
the word "illegal" more than 140 times and it's had this paper that has set the tone
in this country about immigration on the right and in the conservative view.
>> PEGGY PICO: When it comes to selecting language to actual attitudes about the subject
how do those connect especially in this term? Is thisÊ illegal immigrant is that changing
anybody's attitude? >> Let's be clear, AP has changed what they
put in their style guide and the news organizations can choose to follow it or not.
It's probably not likely to change the way regular folks use language but it can have
an impact because "illegal" frames the debate in a way when we are discussing whether or
not you should listen to a person because they are de facto illegal.
It's basically without judge, jury, or due process we have decide that had they're illegal
when there are nuances that lead to explain how these people got here but aren't authorized
with a Visa. >> PEGGY PICO: Several news organizations
such as ours dropped the term because it's distract to go story telling.
Do you think the term is distracting for or inaccurate in news telling stories?
>> I think you can say that undocumented or unauthorized mean the same thing, a person
is here without authorization or permission, however, I think we have to look at the story
behind the word, because I think when journalists and the Jews media when they use a term, they're
conveying a message. If they tag the word "illegal" in it, then
that is going to be perceived as well, they are illegal aliens, so they deserve what happened
to them. It's politically charged which will give it
a different slant. >> PEGGY PICO: Grant, this came up, this terminology
change, and it's been, as you said AP has been working on this for a while and said
they will change it again, possibly. What sort of influence do you think it has
on the immigration debate? >> This is the early days.
We have just started to scratch the surface on figuring out how we're going to handle
this. I know immigration has been discussed in this
country as far back adds the 1800s, but it sounds like and seems like in Washington there
is a new day and I think we are seeing a push toward a resolution.
I don't know which way it's going to go but it looks like there is activity there.
>> PEGGY PICO: Thank you both for joining us.