To: Kurt Franck, Executive Editor/Vice President and Dave Murray, Managing Editor
Toledo Blade: Drop the word "Illegal!"
In previous articles, The Blade has described unauthorized immigrants as “illegal immigrants,” which is legally inaccurate and dehumanizing.
While some immigrants are lawfully present, and some are undocumented, none are illegal.
Tell the Blade: Drop the word "illegal!"
While some immigrants are lawfully present, and some are undocumented, none are illegal.
Tell the Blade: Drop the word "illegal!"
Why is this important?
In previous articles, The Blade has described unauthorized immigrants as “illegal immigrants,” which is legally inaccurate. To be undocumented is a civil offense, not a criminal one. Describing someone as illegal is on par with describing someone accused of a crime as a criminal before a trial even takes place.
I myself was an undocumented immigrant for 14 years. A daughter of an engineer and a teacher, my parents came to the United States in search of a better life.
In 2013, the Associated Press, whose influential stylebook is held in high regards, dropped the word “illegal” as a label for people. Many news organizations have followed suit since. As a prominent news source in the Toledo area, we call on The Blade to drop the phrase “illegal immigrant” and avoid further politicizing an already contentious issue.
Like most American cities, Toledo was built by immigrants and has a rich multi-ethnic history that could not have existed without them. While some immigrants are lawfully present, and some are undocumented, none are illegal.
Toledo Blade: Drop the word "illegal!"
I myself was an undocumented immigrant for 14 years. A daughter of an engineer and a teacher, my parents came to the United States in search of a better life.
In 2013, the Associated Press, whose influential stylebook is held in high regards, dropped the word “illegal” as a label for people. Many news organizations have followed suit since. As a prominent news source in the Toledo area, we call on The Blade to drop the phrase “illegal immigrant” and avoid further politicizing an already contentious issue.
Like most American cities, Toledo was built by immigrants and has a rich multi-ethnic history that could not have existed without them. While some immigrants are lawfully present, and some are undocumented, none are illegal.
Toledo Blade: Drop the word "illegal!"