Why are we allowing the US to call illegal immigrants “illegal aliens”?

[KimGym]

I find this absolutely sickening!!!! It’s a disgraceful term to use and I feel as though if the US are going to use this disgusting terminology, it should at the very least, be censored in other countries. It is so disrespectful and dehumanising. It’s this sort of language that leads people (hopefully only those who have lacked a basic education) to deem immigrants to be sub human, and paves the way for public acceptance of them being treated in a sub human manner. AIBU to think this is totally abhorrant?

I haven’t RTFT, but the dictionary definition of Alien is “belonging to a foreign country” and as others have said, it’s been used by the US forever. The dictionary definition of immigrant is “someone who moves to another country with the intention of settling there permanently”. I think you’re getting your knickers in a twist over a non issue, and where the move is illegal, Alien is probably a better description.

I was a legal alien in Louisiana. Op, you are making yourself look a bit dum. Alien has been a word used for many years.

Because different countries use different terms. That's it.

I’m reminded of this every year when I file my taxes and write nonresident alien for my husband.