The Misnomer of "Illegals" and "Illegal Aliens": A Call for Truth, Kindness, and Diplomatic Integrity

The words we choose matter. They shape our perceptions, influence our actions, and can either uplift or degrade the human spirit. In recent years, the terms "illegals" and "illegal aliens" have permeated our social discourse, often used as blunt instruments in the immigration debate. However, these terms are not only inaccurate but also deeply harmful. They perpetuate a false narrative of criminality around individuals who lack proper documentation, distorting the reality of immigration law and eroding the core values of kindness, dignity, and respect that should define us as a people.

Bryant McGill · The Misnomer of "Illegals" and "Illegal Aliens": A Call for Truth and Kindness - Part 1

#### A Legal and Diplomatic Perspective: Civil vs. Criminal First and foremost, it is essential to understand that being undocumented is not a criminal offense. According to the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), entering or residing in the United States without proper documentation is classified as a civil violation—not a criminal one. This distinction is critical. When someone enters the country without proper authorization, or overstays a visa, they are violating civil immigration laws, which may subject them to administrative procedures such as deportation, but not criminal prosecution. The use of terms like "illegal alien" is not just a matter of semantics; it is a distortion of the legal truth. Labeling people as "illegals" implies criminality where none exists under the law. Even the act of crossing the border without authorization, while a violation, is generally treated as a misdemeanor under the INA and is addressed through immigration courts, not criminal courts. Let me be crystal clear: undocumented immigrants are not criminals by virtue of their undocumented status. They are subject to civil procedures, and at worst, are deported—sent back to their countries of origin under the protocols established by diplomatic and legal agreements between nations. This is not a criminal matter but a diplomatic and administrative one. #### Respecting the Process: Diplomacy, Not Persecution The notion that undocumented individuals should be treated as criminals not only distorts legal realities but also violates the principles of diplomacy that govern how nations interact with each other and with individuals from other countries. When a person is found to be undocumented, the process of returning them to their home country should be carried out with the utmost respect for human dignity and diplomatic protocol. Our immigration enforcement officers are representatives of the United States, and their actions reflect on our nation’s values. To treat undocumented immigrants as "criminals" is to deny them the respect and dignity that every human being deserves. The process of deportation, when necessary, should not be one of punishment or shame. Instead, it should reflect the principles of diplomacy and mutual respect between nations. Even in instances where someone is found to be undocumented, the worst-case scenario should be their respectful return to their country, with full adherence to international and diplomatic norms. When we distort this process by using language that frames these individuals as criminals, we undermine not only the rights of the individuals involved but also the integrity of our own diplomatic relationships. We cannot claim to stand for fairness, justice, and human dignity while simultaneously degrading and dehumanizing those who come to our borders seeking a better life. #### The False Narrative of "The Other" The language of "illegals" and "illegal aliens" feeds into a broader, more insidious narrative—one that frames undocumented immigrants as "the other," as something foreign and dangerous, as people who do not belong. This narrative is built on fear, on the mistaken belief that these individuals represent a threat to our way of life, our jobs, our safety. But this fear is not grounded in reality. It is a product of xenophobia, of a deeply ingrained suspicion of the foreign, the different, the unknown. Throughout history, we have seen this same pattern play out time and again. Groups of people—whether based on race, religion, or nationality—are singled out, labeled as "others," and blamed for society’s problems. These labels dehumanize, creating a false dichotomy between "us" and "them," where the "them" becomes a convenient scapegoat for fear and frustration. But this dichotomy is false. Immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, are not "others" to be feared or despised. They are human beings, often fleeing poverty, violence, or persecution, seeking the same things we all seek: safety, security, and a chance for a better life. To label them as "criminals" simply because they lack the proper paperwork is not only legally incorrect—it is morally bankrupt. #### These Ideas Are Not Christian, and They Are Not Kind As a society, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate, kind, and fair people. Many who advocate for harsher immigration policies do so under the guise of Christian values. But there is nothing Christian about dehumanizing others, about treating those in need with suspicion and contempt. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches, "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35). This simple statement is a profound reminder of our moral obligation to treat strangers—immigrants, refugees, and those different from us—with kindness and respect. We are called not to judge or condemn, but to welcome and support those who are in need. The language of "illegals" and "illegal aliens" runs directly counter to this message of love, compassion, and inclusion. True Christianity calls us to see the face of God in every person, regardless of their nationality, status, or documentation. It calls us to love our neighbors, to protect the vulnerable, and to treat every individual with dignity and respect. The current rhetoric surrounding immigration is far from this Christian ideal. It is a rhetoric of fear, of division, and of cruelty. #### Building Walls Around Ourselves In a broader sense, the language we use to describe undocumented immigrants is part of a larger trend of wall-building—both literal and metaphorical. In my piece *"Be Careful. The Walls You Want Are Being Built for You..."* I explored how the desire to wall ourselves off from "the other" ultimately isolates us. The walls we build to keep others out eventually trap us in our own ignorance, fear, and prejudice. This is especially true when it comes to immigration. By framing undocumented immigrants as "criminals," we are not only doing them a disservice—we are doing ourselves a disservice. We are building walls of fear and suspicion, walls that prevent us from seeing the humanity in others. And in doing so, we are cutting ourselves off from the very values that make us strong: compassion, kindness, and the recognition of our shared humanity. If we are not careful, the judgments we cast on others—the fear, the suspicion, the hatred—will come back to haunt us. The walls we build around ourselves will become our own prisons, isolating us from the rest of the world and from the values we claim to hold dear. #### A Call to Protect Our Diplomatic Integrity and Common Humanity In closing, I appeal to all who read this to reconsider the language and ideas that have been so insidiously planted in our discourse. We are better than this. We are a nation built on the principles of fairness, justice, and respect for human dignity. The language of "illegals" and "illegal aliens" is a stain on those principles. It is not only inaccurate—it is a betrayal of our values and a threat to our diplomatic integrity. I ask you, in the spirit of our shared humanity, to reach beyond the rhetoric of fear and division and embrace the truth. The truth that immigrants, whether documented or not, are not criminals. The truth that our immigration system is a civil matter, not a criminal one. The truth that we are called to treat every person with kindness, respect, and dignity, regardless of their status. Let us remember that America was once truly great because of its spirit of openness, compassion, and respect for all. Let us protect that spirit, and in doing so, build a future where our humanity, not our fear, defines us. —Bryant McGill