McCain Dismisses Request To Drop ‘I-Word’ On Immigration: Call It What You Want, ‘But It’s Illegal’

When Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) held a town-hall style meeting on Monday, one of the questions he was confronted with was about using the term “illegal” in reference to immigrants. Asked to drop the “i-word,” the senator refused, plainly replying that immigrants who cross the border illegally are breaking the law.

According to the Arizona Republic, a “25-year-old dreamer” asked McCain to “please drop the i-word.”

“Someone who crosses our borders illegally is here illegally,” McCain replied. “You can call it whatever you want to, but it’s illegal. I think there’s a big difference between someone who does something that’s illegal and someone who’s undocumented. I’ll continue to call it illegal.”

Also during the meeting, the senator stressed border security, arguing that only those who have seen the border can fully understand the challenges, and remarked that he “can’t guarantee anything” on immigration reform. But it wouldn’t be for lack of trying: “We’re still in serious negotiations, but we have made progress.”

Groups including the American Civil Liberties Union and MoveOn have argued against the term “illegal” to describe immigrants, preferring the term “undocumented.” Those who enter the country legally but overstay their visa, for example, are guilty of a civil violation, not a crime, they argue.

(h/t AZCentral)

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