The SPJ OKed a resolution calling for journalists to stop using "illegal alien" and "illegal immigrant." (Credit: Maynard Institute, screenshot)

The Society of Professional Journalists is advocating journalists stop using the labels “illegal immigrant” and “illegal alien,” MediaBistro reported.

The SPJ resolution is re-published on the Maynard Institute’s website here.

iMediaEthics has written previously on this terminology issue, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ call for journalists to stop using the word “illegal.”  We also wrote in January after speaking with linguist Otto Santa Ana who advised journalists use “unauthorized immigrant” in place of terms like “illegal” and “undocumented.”