Not ‘Illegal’ – Human and Deserving Compassion

Tracy Loynachan,
Minneapolis, MN.

To me, the terms ‘illegal immigrant’ and ‘illegal alien’ are demeaning. These terms are used too frequently, especially when talking about Latinos. Immigration status is not part of the criminal justice system – it’s a separate legal system. While people may be undocumented, they are still people and deserving of compassion. The “Us vs. Them” mentality is saddening and, as a white woman, I feel I have an obligation to say something.