Not Semantics and It Does Matter

I've noticed an unfortunate trend in recent years in which all foreign born individuals residing, permanently, or otherwise, in the United States are referred to as 'immigrant'. As an author, I am, perhaps, a bit more interested, concerned, and annoyed by the words used in any particular context, but this topic really irks me, primarily because it muddies the subject, and I believe words should be used to clarify and edify, not confuse, nor mislead.

Immigrant, as found within the Merriam-Websters Dictionary, is defined as a person who comes to live permanently as a legally recognized and lawfully recorded resident in a foreign country. English Oxford Dictionaries states: A person who chooses to assimilate, to become absorbed and integrated into a society, or culture. (emphasis is mine)

In other words, an immigrant has chosen to leave behind the culture, laws, and traditions of the country of their birth for the purpose of finding a new way of life. To accept new laws, culture, and traditions for the sake of freedom, prosperity, a sound future for their children. None of these things will come about through the blatant disregard of the laws of their new home.

Within the home some traditions should be passed down to future generations. Language, the history of a country left behind. Nothing that is in direct conflict with the laws of their new home should be considered worth keeping, especially those that produced the decision to leave the old country in the first place, nor those that will prevent future generations from enjoying the liberties and freedoms of the country they now owe allegiance to.

A Migrant,on the other hand, is not an immigrant. Merriam-Webster defines a migrant as a person who moves regularly in order to find work. The English Oxford Dictionaries declares migrant as a person who moves to another country, or area to find temporary employment. (Emphasis my own).

A migrant worker does not reside permanently in a foreign country. They do not wish to become a citizen, to assimilate, to adopt the culture and traditions of the country in which they are employed. They owe no allegiance to any country but their own. They are here for work, a paycheck, nothing more. When the job is finished, they return home. They should never be confused with an immigrant. They are not entitled to the rights and privileges of a citizen. They are entitled to respect, a safe work environment, and timely payment, that's it.

Illegal Alien, first, let's break this down – According to the English Oxford Dictionary Illegal is contrary to, or forbidden by law, especially criminal law. Alien is defined as belonging to a foreign country. In Merriam-Webster, Illegal is not according to, nor authorized by law. Alien is relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country, or government. (emphasis is mine).

Illegal alien is, by definition, a foreign national who has crossed the border into a sovereign nation by avoiding lawful entry points, and is living without authorization in a country of which they are not a citizen, and to which they owe no allegiance. They are not entitled to the rights and privileges of a citizen. They are entitled to humane treatment and swift deportation.

And now to the point that really irks me. The repetitious, and erroneous statement that this country was founded by immigrants. None of the founders were immigrants. They were colonists. Here's a definition: Colonist(s) a people sent to a place to establish political control over it. To settle among and establish control over the indigenous people of an area. To appropriate a place or domain for one's own use. (English Oxford Dictionaries).

The founders were citizens of, and owed allegiance to whichever country sent them here. England, France, Spain, and the Dutch all laid claim to some part of what became the United States. This is why the declaration for independence was seen as treasonous. It was only after the establishment, and recognition of the United States as a sovereign nation, and most particularly after the ratification in 1868 of the 14^th amendment, did immigrants seek to renounce their place of origin in order to start anew in the United States.

So, please, it's not just semantics, and it really does matter.