Associated Press bans the phrase 'illegal immigrant' -

Associated Press bans the phrase 'illegal immigrant' - Washington Times:
“It’s ‘illegal immigrant’ no more” says the Associated Press, which banished the phrase from its usage guide on Tuesday - the latest stylistic edict for journalists who have for years juggled such terms as “undocumented worker” or “illegal alien,” its politically incorrect variant.
“The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term ‘illegal immigrant’ or the use of ‘illegal’ to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that ‘illegal’ should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally,” said the senior vice president and executive editor Kathleen Carroll.
The wire service’s rationale goes on for many paragraphs before offering the actual Stylebook entry for earnest journalists to consider. 

It reads:
“Illegal immigration: Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or criminal law. 

Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use illegal only to refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant. 

Acceptable variations include living in or entering a country illegally or without legal permission.’
“Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or undocumented.”