Why would the term "undocumented immigrant" be more accurate than "illegal alien" when describing immigrants?

[devdutta58]

who have violated US immigration laws?

[fenwick]

they comitted a crime

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or

Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or

Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact;
has committed a federal crime.

[iker]

they comitted a crime

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or

Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or

Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact;
has committed a federal crime.

Neither is accurate. Only 60% of the estimated 12 million people residing here illegally meet the legal definition of "illegal alien" by having entered without inspection. The other 40% overstayed visas, mostly tourist and student visas. These people are not "undocumented." They entered with passports from their country of citizenship and with visas obtained from the US consulate. Last time I checked, passports and visas were documents. The most accurate term for both illegal aliens and overstayers is "illegal immigrants," people who live, work, and go to school in the US unlawfully and remain subject to deportation until or unless they are able to obtain some kind of valid legal status.

[ezri]

Ilegal aliens are undocumented and they are also immigrants, albeit illegal ones, undocumented illegal immigrant aliens. It's just a word game.

[dodya]

because you have to have documents when you immigrate into America to prove you were allowed to come here. illegal immigates, like those from Mexico just jump the border without such documents. so they are Undocumented and Immigrants.

[cleirach70]

If they break the law they are illegal. And Alien is a term for anyone who is foreign, it is a neutral term not positive or negative. People don't get upset using the term Resident Alien.

[hampton83]

It wouldn't. Illegal immigrant is fine

[choviohoya]

It wouldn't it's just a liberal euphemism.

[deangelo51]

Maybe because there not aliens?