Sotomayor uses "Undocumented Immigrant" in case

jamesw62

In an apparent first for the U.S. Supreme Court, the term "undocumented immigrant" is now part of the legal lexicon for the nation's highest court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor used the term, along with "undocumented worker" in an opinion on the case Mohawk Industries, Inc. vs. Carpenter.

There's an interesting mention in a New York Times article which says a legal database search showed it was the first time the Supreme Court used "undocumented immigrant" in an opinion, though it has used "illegal immigrant" in a dozen decisions.

The "undocumented" vs. "illegal" debate is never-ending. Here's an earlier post from our immigration editor that explores the debate over such usage in the media. It's also an issue that local governments and the court system have struggled with for years.

Justice Sotomayor's choice of words is being hailed by immigrant advocates. On ImmigrationProf Blog, University of California law professor Kevin Johnson wrote that with her first written Supreme Court decision - which by the way focused on a civil procedure issue - the new justice "already has made a difference"

Johnson writes that "the choice of terminology -- aliens, illegal aliens, illegal immigrants, undocumented immigrants, people -- matters in the discourse over immigration. Consequently, by employing a more neutral term, Justice Sotomayor has added significantly to the Supreme Court's dialogue on immigration, which is likely to be with us for the foreseeable future."

The usage is bound to cause some backlash in some circles. We'll keep you posted.

http://blogs.chron.com/immigration/archives/2009/12/justice_sotomay.html
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butterbean · ALIPAC Super Hero Joined: Feb 12, 2005 Posts: 11278

I knew it was just a matter of time before she showed us her true colors. Mad

Reciprocity · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

A clear example why this women should have never been nominated. She will continue to put an enthnic slant on important supreme court desisions and advocate for her race, this is a real nightmare.

bigtex · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

This is exactly the kind of bias we all expected out of this woman. I am certainly not suprised.
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melena29 · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

Calling them undocumented is an act of outright deceit. These criminals have a plethora of documents. The fact that the documents themselves are fakes and forgeries does not negate the fact that they do indeed have them. So let’s get it right, shall we?

Altogether now…They are illegal aliens. Period.

Thought to ponder…if President Barack Obama* is indeed proven to be ineligible to hold the office of POTUS, does this mean legislation he signs is invalid, and persons he appoints to office are also ineligible? One can only hope…
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laughinglynx · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

She told us who she was BEFORE she got in. Democrats are notorious for not listening to the truth and calling a fellow Democrat a racist. But, they sure love to call anyone who doesn't agree with them racists. Remember that description when a ton of people called attention to her "Latina woman" comment?

This is just the beginning. We need to dig in and fight what is coming down on us on all fronts. I look forward to the day when Democrats actually start admitting they don't have the answers either and maybe listen just a little to the facts.

93camaro · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Its exactly the type of victimizing criminals that she will do best.
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Ratbstard · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

redpony353 · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject:

Illegals in USA are not undocumented. It is just that the documents they have are for another country. And that is where they should go.

swatchick · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

This angers me as a legal immigrant. Why can they call us legal or resident alien yet border jumpers or visa overstayers cannot be called illegal aliens. If they are going to be politically correct do it for both.

vortex · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Related: http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-180814.html
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Immigration is not a right that belongs to anybody and everybody who wants to come here. It is a privilege we Americans alone decide to convey. - Patrick J. Buchanan

agrneydgrl · ALIPAC Hero Elite Joined: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2280

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a shock.

jamesw62 · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

NoBueno · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

Oldglory · ALIPAC Master Joined: Jun 04, 2006 Posts: 381