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To start, here's the entry from the Oxford English Dictionary:
A. adj.
1. a. Not legal or lawful; contrary to, or forbidden by, law.
{dag}b. Lawless, irregular. Obs. rare.
2. Special Comb.: illegal immigrant, orig. a Jew who entered or attempted to enter Palestine without official permission during the later years of the British mandate; now used more generally; so illegal immigration; illegal operation, an abortion procured illegally.
B. n.
1. = illegal immigrant.
2. A Soviet secret agent working in a foreign country.
48 comments:
“…restrictive policies created Mexican illegal aliens- migrants who were ‘undocumented’ because they crossed the border without going through formal entry and inspection and therefore lacked the requisite papers: visas, head- tax receipts, border- crossing cards, inspection certificates, bathing certificates, and the like” (“Impossible Subjects” by Mae Ngai, Page 131).
Analysis: Note how being “illegal” is equated to being “undocumented.” In this case “illegal” refers to the crossing of the border in the non- traditional manner. Similarly, it is important to note how the word “lacked” also appears in the sentence which makes for a total of three negative terms. The list that follows is then expanded in order to show the numerous offenses that these “illegals” have against them.
http://www.illegal-art.org/ - “The Illegal Art Exhibit will celebrate what is rapidly becoming the "degenerate art" of a corporate age: art and ideas on the legal fringes of intellectual property”.
Analysis: “Illegal” in this context is used as a celebration and as a form of expression. This exhibition is rebelling against the norms that society has put out and challenging them to set forth what they intend to say. In other words, this exhibition sets out to create a critical project where expression and everyday corporations interact to create radical images.
http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/03/PG_FCC_Illegal.jpg
Analysis: The above image questions the basis on which illegality is determined, in this case through the Federal Communications Commission. The fact that something is being concealed hints at the fact that whatever is behind the strip is just as bad as being “illegal.” Thinking about this example with say one of an “illegal immigrant” may then imply that both are equally as bad- associating both may then either add humor to illegal immigrants or add seriousness to what appears on television.
Dear Student,
Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), copying and sharing copyrighted materials without permission is illegal. As you may know, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and some other copyright owners and groups have recently stepped up their efforts to curb illegal filesharing on the Internet. This academic year, the University has received a much larger volume of complaints about peer-to-peer file sharing under the DMCA. (University of California Berkeley website: http://students.berkeley.edu/osl/osl.asp?id=2570)
Analysis: the University warns students about copying and sharing copyrighted materials without permission. This letter seems to be implying that sharing without permission is what makes the situation illegal, as opposed to having permission from the user which would make the matter legal, perhaps. Note that the situation seems to be escalating with the involvement of several organization hard at work to assure that said illegal activities are put on halt.
959Illegal Traffic: a short introduction
Preventing, detecting and acting against illegal transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes (“illegal traffic”) is a crucial element in the global waste challenge. Illegal traffic of hazardous waste is unfortunately still very common in all corners of the world. (http://www.basel.int/legalmatters/illegtraffic/index.html)
Analysis: “Illegal” is defined as the movements of hazardous and waste materials. What makes the substance illegal in this manner is the fact that it is hazardous. This website seems to call out all of those people who are still participating or know of someone who participates in the movement of hazardous materials. Overall, “illegal” is equated with being hazardous and something that must be stopped.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-poizner27-2010mar27,0,5816792.story
by Steve Poizner
"...California simply cannot continue to ignore the strain that illegal immigration puts on our budget and economy. Illegal aliens cost taxpayers in our state billions of dollars each year. As economist Philip J. Romero concluded in a 2007 study, 'illegal immigrants impose a 'tax' on legal California residents in the tens of billions of dollars.' "
Analysis: Steve Poizner notes a myriad of ways in which "illegal" immigration is a drain on California's economy, in contrast to legal immigration, which is "a great thing for California." In this way, he intrinsically links "illegal" and "problem," implying that only when crossing borders legally can such effects be beneficial.
http://www.rgj.com/article/20100315/NEWS/3150330/1321/news
"We try to be flexible in accepting things but because the government-issued photo ID says female, we cannot issue (a marriage license)," Parent said. "A birth certificate doesn't suffice for anyone because there's nothing on that birth certificate that proves it's you, it doesn't show what you look like years later.
"We have no leeway because the law in the state of Nevada opposes same-sex marriage. It's not our rule; the voters decided it, and we had two people who appeared to be the same sex."
Analysis: Though the article does not mention the keyword "illegal," it does call into question the meaning of "legal" as it applies to marriage and gender vs sex. Nevada used the definition of "sex" as the physical appearance of sex, and due to Nevada's ban on same-sex marriage, denied Danielle's marriage as "illegal".
http://www.war-is-illegal.org/
" War is Illegal"
Analysis: In this case War (in particular the iraq and afghanistan wars) is seen as being "illegal" because of the wrongful and extensive use of financial and human resources on fighting Wars. So illegal is not just seen as going against a written law, but going against the common good, which in their view is not wasting so much energy and resources on fighting wars when those resources can be used to alleviate poverty etc in many parts of the world as well as at home.
"illegal prostitution"
http://www.slate.com/id/2186243
Analysis: the debate over whether or not prostitution should be illegal is discussed. Prostitution is made illegal in the united states based on the morality argument that claims that it is demeaning to sex workers. This is interesting when looking at the laws in for example sweden where it was legal to sell sex but illegal to buy it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032603077.html
An Argument to be made about Immigrant Babies and Citizenship
The debate whether an immigration reform is needed to discourage people from entering the United States illegally. A parent fro a poor country "can hardly do more for a child than make him or her an American citizen, entitled to all the advantages of the American welfare state." This is why so many people risk coming to this country illegally because by simply being born here, they are able to enjoy all that comes with being a citizen. (opportunity to get an education, opportunity to get financial, have documentation to live and travel without fear of deportation, ability to drive legally)
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/illegal-immigrants-and-the-health-care-legislation/
Illegal Immigrants and the Health Care Legislation
Any type of Health Care reform would not apply to illegal immigrants in this country. Citizens in this country, under the proposed reform, would get subsidies under the reform. Raises controversy because there are illegal people in this country who have their children in the US. Under the reform, subsidies would be given to people who are legal while excluding illegal immigrants even when they are in the same family. Illegal simply means whether you are a citizen or not because even if you are legally in this country you would still not get governmental subsidies.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/17/2046808/rangers-manager-washington-to.html
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits to Illegal drug use
In this article, illegal is used to talk about drugs. Illegal drugs are a substance that cannot be purchased legally anywhere. That is the reason why they are illegal. It is disappointing to see a professional coach be caught using drugs because it sends the wrong message to younger generations about drug use and its consequences.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/28/INB61CKBI7.DTL
"It is only when we remove the fear of deportation that we truly remove the burden of second-class citizenship."
Analysis: I wanted to investigate a word commonly associated with "illegal" immigrants and one that's been brought up with talks of immigration reform, "Amnesty". It is the idea that granting amnesty is one option to start over and reform immigration policy, albeit one that's extremely controversial. Amnesty both refers to pardoning "illegal" immigrants for the "criminal" acts they've performed in entering the country, and it also implies a kind of sanctuary and acceptance for those who have fled here. In discussing "illegal" immigrants and immigration policy we often have two perspectives on what it means to be "illegal."
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/24/2629166/jobs-arent-protected-for-californias.html
Here we have another blurred context of what's "legal" and what's "illegal". Medical marijuana is considered legal under California law and yet still it's a federal offense to smoke, possess, or distribute it. What is considered legal can be used as a control over a person's health, I.E. what you can smoke or cannot smoke. The lack of job protection for smoking medical marijuana acts as a de facto control over job security.
http://www.nctimes.com/sports/article_514fc079-deb3-5dcd-b88f-a36fa6b61b23.html
Steroids: dangerous, illegal and so very easy to obtain
There are hundreds of different types of steroids. Although they are illegal, they are very easy to obtain. High school students are among the most common to resort to steroids because of the constant pressure to excel in their respective sport in an attempt to get a sports scholarship. The reason steroids are illegal is because they give the user a competitive edge over his/her competition. On the other hand, steroids have been found to have negative effects as well. It's not just an issue about fair competition, but also keeping all athletes safe and keeping them doing things that are healthy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-helvarg/the-uns-ocean-death-panel_b_516436.html
Following months of discussion, the UN discusses potential bans on fishing
"Illegal" fishing and general overfishing of important species such as the Bluefin Tuna have led to rapid depletion and possible extinction of these species of fish. For months before the vote, nations such as the United States called to ban fishing of those species, and the Japanese retaliated, saying that it was not the prerogative of the US to dictate to them. In this context, "illegal" refers to the tenuous international context of what is allowed and what is prohibited, and when different countries conflict on those terms, the definition is challenged.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,96797,00.html
12-Year-Old Sued for Music Downloading
Downloading anything from the internet (music, movies, programs) is illegal. Just because a service provider charges you money to use their program to download does not mean that it is legal. The problem has to do with how much money the artist and record companies lose because people are no longer buying the songs. Authorities are becoming stricter when it comes to illegal downloading and the penalties include up to 150,000 dollars per song to 3,000 dollars total with a promise to not do it again.
illegal homosexuality
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123973509
Analysis: illegal here is being used in the context of going against society morals rather than a set of laws. "over 30 African countries already have laws on their books criminalizing homosexual conduct - activity"- legality here becomes a question of what is acceptable in society and what is not rather than what is universally right or wrong.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_9000424
City comes to grips with teen prostitution
Hundreds of foster care and abused children who have run away are prime recruits for prostitution. Children are vulnerable to oppression because they already internalize the glory of sex and pimps through interaction with music and films. Children sold on the street-level not only receive none of the profit, but they also dependent on their “pimps” for daily necessities. Moreover, children are often removed from parents that are involved in alcoholism, chemical dependence, imprisonment, or unsafe health and living conditions. As long as the cycle of oppression/inequality and demands from the clientele remains, the well-paid business of prostitution will be an illegal social problem society.
http://www.wwltv.com/news/Authorities-on-alert-for-human-trafficking-in-NO-area-89481647.html
Authorities on alert for human trafficking in N.O. area
Human trafficking can be defined in various ways – most commonly forced prostitution and labor. After Hurricane Katrina, the big migrating population contributed greatly to the flow of trafficking. Females are associated with prostitution while males are helpless victims of labor trafficking. The author of the article argues that most of the illegal and undocumented immigrants are manipulated into coming to the U.S. for well-paid jobs and benefits. However, they are not able to return for fear of deportation or shame. Currently, Louisiana has 20 anti-trafficking agencies that are exposing exploitation.
http://www.rescomp.berkeley.edu/stayconnected/filesharing/
Stay Connected: ResComp Policies - Copyright Infringement
The residential computing at UC Berkeley has taken steps to enforce copyright protection. If caught sharing copyrighted material on the university's server, the school is permitted to deactivate in-room Internet connection, send a subpoena warning, or give out a pre-settlement letter. This illegal act is part of the ResComp policies that residents must abide to. On the website, there is no talk on the expulsion or suspension of students from the university.
http://www.ncusd203.org/central/html/where/lrc/copyrights.html
Copyright & Plagiarism
Plagiarism is generally defined as taking another person or group’s copyrighted material without proper permission. This can pertain to many various forms – text, words, pictures, images, sounds, etc. In educational institutions, “Fair Use” Guidelines are established so that exceptions are made possible to teachers and students. The 1998 copyright law now requires teachers to instruct their students on avoiding plagiarism and give proper credit to the owner of the material. Reporting copyright violations are made easier than ever. To report any kind illegal offense, reports can be made regarding infringement, motion pictures, music, software, etc.
http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/illegal/illegal.shtml
Illegal Dumping, Litter, and Scavenging
Illegal dumping refers to the throwing of waste into public areas and city/private property without permission. In San Diego and also in many counties, community assistance and report are essential steps to insuring a healthy and sanitary area. The City of San Diego has a “Trash/Litter/Recycling Service Request” and phone number in which reports can be made. Listed, also, are information a person should take down such as another person’s license plate, date, location, etc. Illegal dumping is taken seriously and it is made possible with the help from local ciitizens and the community.
legalization of Marijuana:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62O08U20100325
Analysis:
California's deep debt and issues of budget cuts have forced people to rethink the legality of marijuana use. Marijuana has always been illegal in california, despite majority of its population using it "illegally". Now that california is in a debt crisis, law makers are okay with questioning whether or not marijuana should be made legal for financial reasons, where as before it would out of the question to even consider marijuana being legal. It is interesting to note this difference/
Illegal Interview questions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8963-2003Apr11.html
"Despite warnings to the contrary, many employers still ask illegal questions or ones that border on being illegal. Many of these questions deal with age, family responsibilities, and lifestyle."
Analysis:
here legality finds itself into daily conversation. its interesting to note how some particular questions are "illegal" to ask at job interviews etc. What does this mean for the employer and person looking for the job?
Illegal to travel to Cuba
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
Analysis:
its interesting to see how one is restricted to travel around the world, when the government makes it illegal or practically impossible to travel to certain countries in the world. In such legality can take over peoples rights, that is the right to travel, or go where they want, because the government is threatened by suspicious traveling. the government has made it extremely hard to give permission to american citizens to travel to Cuba, even if visiting for pleasure, family and not for political reasons.
illegal Haitian immigrants' status:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/16/nation/la-na-haiti-refugee16-2010jan16
"In an attempt to ensure the flow of remittances to devastated Haiti, Obama administration would temporarily grant legal status to the tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants who were living in the United States illegally before this week's earthquake."
does it take an earthquake to recieve U.S citiznship and to be no longeer an illegal alien in the the United states?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gtiezKSVGqfr98sLcE6nvho5ck2QD9ESD8C81
Health care reform leaves out illegal immigrants
The recently passed health care reform bill is certainly advantageous towards the 32 million americans that are currently uninsured. However, the voices of 7 million illegal and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. remains unaddressed and unheard. Although the illegal immigrants are still able to access the emergency room, clinics, and other programs, the problem regarding lack of access to specialized care difficult to ignore. As federally qualified clinics receive funding boosts within the next couple of years, they are the few alternatives that illegal immigrants can utilize for basic health care.
http://arabnews.com/world/article38018.ece
US wiretapping of Islamic charity deemed illegal
In 2004, the Bush administration labeled an Islamic charity group as a terrorist organization after unwarranted wiretappings of phone conversations. On March 31, Judge Walker deemed the government's acts as illegal. Bush administration's surveillance program initiated after the bombing of 9/11; yet, the scope of the Islam charity's review was never disclosed. The Obama administration has the power to appeal the ruling.
“The court further observed that the impact was borne primarily by a very small subclass of illegal aliens, entire families who have migrated illegally and for all practical purposes permanently to the United States” (Plyler v. Doe).
The case establishes that it is unconstitutional to deny undocumented students the right to a public education. The court found that denying undocumented students an education would eventually trigger a bad economy and a bad academic future for the country. In this instance, “illegal” is being used to categorize a group of students who would be directly affected if such propositions were passed. In other words, “illegal” is not being used in a bad sense here, but more as a categorical term.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003900517_dreamact25m0.html
"When you offer amnesty like that it only encourages more illegal behavior," Espinosa said. "We need to send the message that if you come here illegally you will not be rewarded."
Referring to the Dream Act, the article implies that the passage of such an act would encourage more undocumented migration, however chooses to use the term “illegal” to refer to people who come here without permission. This quote implies that people who are here “illegally” have done something wrong and should be punished for it. In a broader sense, the quote implies that those people who would benefit from the dream act should not be rewarded although they were children when they first arrived in the country.
http://www.illegalaliens.us/blogs.htm
This site, besides mocking the term undocumented, is an illegal immigration primer whose goal is to provide information on illegal immigration prevention, enforcement, and attrition.
It is interesting to note that this website uses the term “illegal” as opposed to undocumented and in fact makes fun of the term undocumented. Many other sites would use undocumented and feel insulted over the term illegal. Looking over the website it is also of some interest to know that this is in fact an anti- immigrant website so I would think that an insulting term would perhaps be more suited. Overall, the term “illegal” is used as the counter to undocumented which the website actually makes fun of.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/
Illegal is used to describe immigrants. The article highlights how even those people deemed “illegal” still have the right to access benefits and public services. In fact many people went out to protest and have voiced their support for these individuals to gain a route to citizenship and eventually have all of the priviledges deemed to a U.S. citizen.
http://www.dailycal.org/article/108657/city_strives_to_count_all_in_census
The article states the importance of being counted on the census. The term is not used to describe people, but instead is used to communicate to the targeted audience that it is against the law for the census to communicate any information to anyone outside the census. Interestetingly enough, the people who they are probably talking to are most likely undocumented or “illegal” immigrants. It would then become illegal for the census to share their illegal status.
Illegal Logging-
http://www.illegal-logging.info/
Illegal logging and the international trade in illegally logged timber is a major problem for many timber-producing countries in the developing world. It causes environmental damage, costs governments billions of dollars in lost revenue, promotes corruption, undermines the rule of law and good governance and funds armed conflict. It retards sustainable development in some of the poorest countries of the world. Consumer countries contribute to these problems by importing timber and wood products without ensuring that they are legally sourced. In recent years, however, producer and consumer countries alike have paid increasing attention to illegal logging.
Analysis:
its interesting how logging the wrong trees at the wrong place can be considered illegal, or "morally" incorrect but logging is allowed in another specific areas. Why not illegalize all logging? arent all trees important or part of the environment?
Iraq war was illegal and breached UN charter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/16/iraq.iraq
Analysis:The United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, declared explicitly for the first time last night that the US-led war on Iraq was illegal.
Mr Annan said that the invasion was not sanctioned by the UN security council or in accordance with the UN's founding charter. In an interview with the BBC World Service broadcast last night, he was asked outright if the war was illegal. He replied: "Yes, if you wish."
It is interesting to note that sometimes the question of legality can become subjective. There are things that are right and things that are explicitly wrong so it is easy to categorize them as legal or illegal. but when thinking about the iraq war, subjectivity comes in to play.
Illegal workers: good for U.S. economy
The U.S. has benefited from illegal immigrants, most economists say, though some low-skilled workers have been hurt.
Analysis:
its interesting how the government benefits from illegal workers. Because they illegal workers are not allowed access to government benefits, so costs are less for the government, but at the same time these illegal immigrants work the low or even unpaid jobs without the government having to be obligated to them. It is profitable for the government to have illegal workers in the country and this is something to think about.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/01/news/economy/immigration_economy/index.htm
for the last post
Congress Asked To Use Census To Deport Illegal Aliens
http://www.mmdnewswire.com/census-deport-illegal-aliens-7763.html
Congress wants to pass a legislation that calls for the use of the US Census data to locate, detain, and deport illegal immigrants. They are countering Obama's current efforts to give taxpayer resources to these immigrants. Also, Congress believes that groups such as La Raza are pushing for illegal alien counts because they are trying to attain political power. Supporters believe that by passing the legislation, they can control and stop other proposals such as the Dream Act and Comprehensive Amnesty legislation. By using illegality as a factor to remove undocumented immigrants, people in power are re-articulating American's fear for foreigners and new ideas, such that of the 19th and 20th century.
Sheriff’s Officials Bust Four Illegal Gambling Operations
http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12298556
Like many other illegal activities, illegal gambling is either increasing or detectives are creating new methods to bust the scenes. In Midland, the sherif department seized 240 machines and $38,000. The operations violate standards and laws set by the county and state. However, the details of the supervision and management of these chains remain untold.
Illegal Haitians caught at U.S. border
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/04/06/haitians-arrested-at-us-border.html
The January 12 earthquake in Haiti relinquish a flow of immigrants trying to find refugee in a safer and opportunistic place. According to CBC News, Haitians are attempting to enter the US vis-a-vis the Canadian border. According to authorities, 115 Haitians have been caught since the natural devastation. The American government's response to this dire trend is: deportation. Because many Haitians mistakenly believe that they are able to obtain the 18-month ban on deportation, the increase in illegal immigrant is rarely a surprise. Currently, the status of Haitians are unpredicted. What i'm surprised with is the lack of sympathy or aide to victims and refugees of natural disasters.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/14/MNOS1CU8FG.DTL
Arizona passes tough law on illegal immigrants
Analysis: This law is notable because of how strict it is on undocumented immigrants. It provides allowances for determining immigration status and subsequent deportation on account of "suspicion".
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/30/nation/la-na-arizona-immigration-20100430
First lawsuits to challenge Arizona illegal-immigrant law
It is interesting how illegal-immigrant laws are being challenge by two police officers who agree with the many who thing this law promotes racial profiling. Even though they have to abide by this law, they are doing everything in their power to repeal it because they feel that it is wrong to an individual to ask for documentation.
http://www.examiner.com/x-15870-Populist-Examiner~y2010m4d29-Illegal-immigrants-leaving-Arizona-over-new-law
Illegal immigrants leaving Arizona over new law
If a large percentage of the population in Arizona are illegal then they are in trouble. Whether they are illegal or not, they have to spend money on food, clothes any other number of ways. This law is forcing families to move away from Arizona in order to not have to live in fear of constantly being persecuted or target by authorities.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14986037?nclick_check=1
Hunter backs deport of illegal immigrants' US kids
This hits home because my parents were once undocumented people as well. Thanks to the Arizona law that passed, people are starting to promote the idea of deporting those peoples kids as well. That saddens me because of that would have been a law during the time when my parents were undocumented, both my sisters and I would have gotten deported.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20100430/NEWS/4300504/1020
Legal vs Illegal
Talks about how Americans actually do not mind new people entering this country albeit, they do i legally. No one has a problem with other individuals when things are done the right way. Some of the reasons that immigrants come into this country is for economic opportunity while others think that they do it for the many public benefits that they would be receiving (any child born here will become a citizen).
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/30/eveningnews/main6448883.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea
Arizonans Say Law Will Reduce Crime Rate
Sixty percent of the people in Arizona support the law because they believe that they have become the gateway of illegal activity. People in Arizona believe that crime and illegal activity have risen as a result of California tightening up its borders. This is clearly racial profiling as people in Arizona are trying to make it seem that illegal immigrants is closely related to crime rate. That the more illegal immigrants there are the higher the crime rates are going to get.
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