AP in the 2011 book described an illegal immigrant as "someone who has entered the country illegally or who resides in the country illegally. It is the preferred term, not illegal alien or undocumented worker. Do not use the shortened term an illegal or illegals." In 2012, that became: "Used to describe someone who has entered a country illegally or who resides in a country in criminal or civil violation of immigration law. Acceptable variations include living in the country without legal permission. Use of these terms, as with any terms implying illegalities, must be based on reliable information about a person's true status. Unless quoting someone, AP does not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or the term undocumented." Now
AP has issued a handout [hat tip: Jim Romenesko], because if you can't explain things in about 75 words, maybe you can do so in nearly 1,000 words.
Reviewing the use of 'illegal immigrant'