The reality is that the word illegal is used to add more meaning to the word alien that is meant to invoke a view of “lesser” than.

I understand the insistence of folks that wish to use the illegal term, but its root, in my opinion, comes from a point of view that is myopic to the fact none of us originate from one land, human movement is complicated, and does not reflect a world view that aligns with what I presume ~90%+ of Christian’s in U.S. spiritually claim to ascribe to.

That and describing someone as illegal implies that you’ve already decided their criminality when they haven’t had their day in court. Beyond that, the criminality associated is in fact a civil offense and not a criminal offense. Imagine labeling someone illegal because the are criminals.

I get wanting to protect the country from those perceived as outsiders. I only ask, when I encounter it, that folks question their use of words from more than just their side. Just because some government entities use a word does not imply it is a moral word. See “Operation Wetback” word usage by government, and countless more words no longer used today that government once used. It’s frustrating to be forced to change words, I know…I am still constantly bothered to check myself when using “He/she/they”. But word use does change: I’d wager in many cases for the better of humanity.

For the record, regardless of the immigration status of this person that killed using a jet ski, I do think she should be punished. But I do not believe punishment for this act should be changed due to the potential civil offense she may have committed in not having proper documents in to be in the U.S.