Undocumented Americans' in the running for TIME's 'Person of the Year

TIME magazine is set to unveil its annual "Person of the Year" Wednesday morning, but until then, they are teasing a short list which includes such influential figures as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer and... "undocumented" (read: illegal) immigrants...?

An illegal immigrant from El Salvador is searched on the tarmac at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AP Photo/Matt York)

Following last year’s group choice of “The Protester,” the only group to appear on this year’s list is “Undocumented Americans” — a pick that highlights the demographic growth and increasing political power of Latino Americans and the ongoing struggle over U.S. immigration policy. ...

Each year since 1927, TIME has named a newsmaker of the year: the person that most influenced our world this year – for good or for ill. Last year’s choice, The Protester, came out on top of runners-up including the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge and Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei. The choice is always kept under tight wraps until the minute the magazine cover is unveiled. TIME managing editor Rick Stengel will reveal this year’s Person of the Year Wednesday, Dec. 19 on NBC’s Today show at 7 a.m.