I didn't say the word was racist. I said I never liked that term, because to me it seems dehumanising.

They are aliens because they don't belong here. They have no intention of becoming citizens, just grab what they can, milk the system, and go home.

Immigrants is a little wrong because it suggests their intent is to immigrate. We can't assume their intention, unless we ask.

I know you didn't...I was just telling a short story about a person with similar feelings about the word (though from a different perspective).

c'mon syc, here in California the proper term is "undocumented immigrant" like they somehow just misplaced their papers :headshake