Cepedapedia
Immigration has a fascinating language all its own. Here's a quick guide ...

June 21, 2007
BY ESTHER J. CEPEDA Sun-Times Columnist

Gather round kiddies, Immigration Jargon 101 is in session, where I tell you what's what, Cepeda style.

Alien: Any noncitizen. And if you don't like the term, talk to the good folks at the Department of Homeland Security, not me.Bilingual: Someone who speaks two languages fluently, like Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- arguably one of the most successful immigrants ever. The Governator made the following remarks during the National Association of Hispanic Journalists conference last week: "You've got to turn off the Spanish [media]. ... When I came to this country, I did not, or very rarely, spoke German to anyone. Just sitting in front of the television set, I couldn't understand a word they were saying, but eventually I got with it, and I learned." Amen, brotha.

Deportation: The formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has violated immigration laws or has been convicted of a crime that renders the alien removable. Sort of like Mayra Silva, 23, of Park City, who Tuesday pleaded guilty to defrauding a credit union of $15,000. Pack your bags, honey.
Deportation powers: What Waukegan and Carpentersville police officers will have once they complete Immigration and Customs Enforcement training. They'll be allowed to identify and retain immigration offenders and directly process them for deportation. They will not do sweeps or enter homes or dictate residential standards to landlords.

"English only": Like northwest suburban Carpentersville's once-again-delayed ordinance vote. Trustees have vehemently stressed that only village documents would be English-only. Federal and state-mandated other-language documents would stay as is. No one would be banned from speaking any language other than English back at the casa, or anywhere else, for that matter.

Illegal alien: Also euphemistically known as "undocumented." Not synonymous with "immigrant."Mexican: A person of Mexican descent. Not synonymous with Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Puerto Rican, etc., or with the term "immigrant" -- legal or otherwise.

Ordinance: A municipal statement or regulation, like the immediately effective vehicle seizure ordinance in north suburban Park City. It says a motor vehicle is subject to impoundment by the city if, among other things, the driver is not covered by state-mandated auto insurance or doesn't have a valid license/permit. The ordinance does not specify any race or ethnicity.

Resolution: A governing board's formal statement of a decision with no legal teeth. Like the Cook County illegal immigrant sanctuary resolution, which still stands because Commissioner Gregg Goslin withdrew his proposal for reconsideration Tuesday. Didn't he have the nine votes to bring it to the floor, or has board President Todd Stroger already signed off?

Sanctuary: A place of refuge or protection like, oh, let's say a church, where illegal immigrants could go for spiritual, economic and/or emotional succor, but where federal officials are well within their rights to enter and apprehend a removable alien at any time.

I think I hear the recess bell.


http://www.suntimes.com/news/cepeda/437 ... 21.article

Thank you Esther for telling it like it is!