By Megan Burks
Rethinking the Term ‘Illegal Immigrant’
Expect to see a change in the way journalists throughout the United States handle the terms “illegal immigrant” and “undocumented immigrant.” The Associated Press Stylebook, a writing style guide for journalists, advised reporters this week to reserve “illegal” to describe actions, not people, and to get more specific about their source’s immigration status.
The new rule reads:
| 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. Specify wherever possible how someone entered the country illegally and from where. Crossed the border? Overstayed a visa? What nationality? |
KPBS spoke to a local immigration attorney and linguist about the change. Fronteras Desk is taking reader feedback from throughout the Southwest.
The AP also advised journalists this week to stop using the word “Islamist” as a blanket term for militant fighters. Earlier this year, it offered guidance on how to cover mental illness.
Follow the AP Stylebook @APStylebook
Civic San Diego Earmarks Funds for 1,000 Affordable Housing Units
The U-T San Diego reports Civic San Diego, the successor agency for the city’s defunct redevelopment agency, announced this week it has found one-time funds to build 1,000 new affordable housing units.
Affordable housing has been in limbo since the end of redevelopment, which was its main funding source. Housing advocates continue to work with state lawmakers to find a steady cash flow dedicated to affordable housing.
Follow the San Diego Housing Federation @sdhfexec.
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