LA Times, NY Times reconsider 'illegal immigrant

The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times are following the Associated Press's lead on use of the phrase "illegal immigrant." The AP announced this week that its Stylebook, standard for many American newspapers, would no longer use the term to describe immigrants who have illegally entered the U.S.

"The New York Times is also considering revisions to its use of this term," wrote NYT's Public Editor Margaret Sullivan wrote in a blog post Friday. "Unlike The A.P., The Times will probably continue using the term, but may allow alternatives, giving writers and editors more options."

As for the LA Times...

"We appreciate that language evolves, culture evolves, our audience evolves, so we have to listen to them," said Henry Fuhrmann, copy editor at the LA Times. The paper reports that the policy on "illegal immigrant" has been under review since last fall and that a recommendation on it will be made "soon."

@eScarry