Immigrants Ask For "Illegal" Apology from Mayor

A coalition of advocacy group leaders sought an apology from Autry for using the term "illegal." They told him they believed his comments last week portrayed illegal immigrants as an economic burden (because they are). They said that image fuels hatred, especially when the contributions made by immigrants are left out (because those contributions are insignificant compared to the burden they cause on legal tax payers) . Members of the coalition asked Autry to use the word "undocumented" in the future.

Autry would not apologize when he met with the group Monday.

"I cannot apologize for standing up against abuse, exploitation," he said. "If the word 'illegal' is demeaning, I hate the word, but we do have laws."

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