Illegal is as illegal does.

Fernando Rojas says that a person cannot be classified as illegal. He says the implication of doing so is that every person who has ever broken any law is illegal. So if you've ever received a traffic ticket, you are illegal.

Incorrecto, Fernando! A person living here without proper documentation is an illegal alien. A person living here with proper documentation is a legal alien. A person who has received a traffic ticket and neglected to pay it or appear in court is illegal -- hence, he will have a warrant issued for his arrest. If he pays his fine, he is once again compliant with the law -- legal. The difference is that the illegal alien is doing nothing to bring himself into compliance with the law. Quite the contrary, he expects us to change the law to accommodate him and quit calling him what he is -- illegal.

Comprende?

"People aren't illegal." The Dallas Morning News; November 30, 2013; p. 18A.