The Associated Press — the dictator of language in political coverage, seeing that most newspapers’ political pieces are AP syndicated stories these days, has decided that the term “illegal immigrant” shall not be used going forward.
The sudden slashing of the term, in an effort to conform to the utmost in politically correct standards, was quickly mocked on Twitter, from the left and the right.
AP drops the term “illegal immigrant.” bit.ly/12d77ox
— Kate Brumback (@katebrumback) April 2, 2013
Seriously, @ap, what do we call them? Immigrants san frontieres?
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) April 2, 2013
The Artists Formerly Known as Illegal Immigrants
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) April 2, 2013
Why use two words when 17 will do? #APprotips
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) April 2, 2013
So there are legal immigrants and the other kind.
— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) April 2, 2013
This all, as is the trend on Twitter, became fodder for a broader interpretation of #NewAPGuidelines:
“‘Drug addict’ is out. Please use ‘Person who consumes a more-than-optimal quantity of narcotics.'” #NewAPStyle
— Sonny Bunch (@SonnyBunch) April 2, 2013
@therickwilson What about “Unauthorized Parking Attendants” or “Drivers without titles”
— Colo Peak Politics (@COpeakpolitics) April 2, 2013
#NewAPGuidelines: Guns shall be referred to “pointless bloody weapons of violence and murder”
— El SOOPer!! (@SooperMexican) April 2, 2013
sub-legal immigrants. #NewAPGuidelines
— El SOOPer!! (@SooperMexican) April 2, 2013