MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend interrupted her co-host Michael Steele on Saturday when he used the term "illegal immigrant" during a debate about immigration with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Sanders-Townsend corrected Steele, stating that the term "undocumented" should be used instead.
MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend promptly corrected her co-host Michael Steele on Saturday when he used the term "illegal immigrant" during an on-air debate with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts.
"I want to be clear," Sanders-Townsend interjected. "We don’t use the term ‘illegal.’ Undocumented individuals."
MSNBC Host Calls Out Co-Host for Using "Illegal Immigrant" Term
Steele complied, using the corrected term in subsequent remarks.
The exchange highlighted the growing discomfort with the term "illegal immigrant" among many Americans, who view it as stigmatizing and inaccurate. Advocates for immigrants argue that the term perpetuates a damaging narrative that portrays undocumented individuals as criminals and outlaws.
MSNBC Host Calls Out Co-Host for Using "Illegal Immigrant" Term
Roberts, however, defended his use of the term, asserting that it accurately describes the legal status of undocumented immigrants.
"They’re illegal aliens," Roberts stated.
MSNBC Host Calls Out Co-Host for Using "Illegal Immigrant" Term
Sanders-Townsend countered Roberts' argument, citing statistics from Texas indicating that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
"In Texas," Sanders-Townsend emphasized, "undocumented immigrants were 37.1% less likely to be convicted of a crime."
Roberts dismissed Sanders-Townsend's statistics, claiming they were irrelevant to the cases of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. He cited the recent murder of a 22-year-old nursing student by an undocumented immigrant as an example.
"Tell that to the survivors of these people," Roberts demanded.
Sanders-Townsend responded by accusing Roberts of using the tragic murder to vilify the entire undocumented immigrant population.
"You are weaponizing a horrific murder to smear 11 million people," Sanders-Townsend said.
Roberts denied the accusation, maintaining that he was simply advocating for the enforcement of immigration laws.
The debate over the appropriate terminology for undocumented immigrants reflects the broader polarization of American society on immigration issues. While some advocate for a compassionate approach that prioritizes humanitarian concerns, others favor a stricter stance that emphasizes border security and the enforcement of immigration laws.
The use of the term "illegal immigrant" has become a flashpoint in this debate, with many arguing that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and undermines the dignity of undocumented individuals.
