Offensive Halloween Costume Creates Controversy

Among the many distasteful costumes that go sale prior to Halloween there’s a particular one causing disdain among the immigrant population, the "illegal immigrant."

The costume appeared in Target's online sale this season with the following description: "He’s got his green card, but is from another planet!" Sure to get some laughs, the illegal alien adult costume includes an orange prison-style jumpsuit with the words 'ILLEGAL ALIEN' printed on the front, an alien mask and a 'green card.' Of course, the costume has alarmed immigration rights groups.

Angelica Salas from the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles has asked Target to remove the "distasteful, mean-spirited and ignorant of social stigma" costume. Lizette Olmos, national communications director for the League of United Latin American Citizens, referred to the costume as “really disturbing” Other social action groups, such as the United Farm Workers have urged their supporters to send complaints to the stores selling the dehumanizing costumes.

I believe Target has responded positively to the complaints during this PR crisis. Target spokesman Joshua Thomas said the item was put on its website by mistake when an employee entered a wrong number into the system. Target has a strict review process with its vendors, he said. "We apologize, this was never intended to be part of our assortment." Thomas said Target is doing everything they can to take the costume down from their website. Media adviser, Vicki Adame, said that this is exactly the kind of divisive issue that a major brand like Target should want no part of. "It's insensitive, it's offensive. Immigration is such a hot-button issue. Why would Target fuel that fire?"

Other companies and websites have been getting angry complaints from the public for selling the costume too; but I believe their PR responses have not been done as well as Targets. The costume can/could also be found on toyrus.com, amazon.com, meijer.com, Walgreens.com, buycostumes.com, eBay. No changes or response have been made yet, however recently, Amazon had taken down the full-body costume, but still offered this equally offensive mask.

The backlash has already begun. Anti-immigrant groups are now asking followers to buy up the illegal alien costume from Amazon and other retailers and wear it on Halloween to make a statement. Americans for Legal Immigration PAC's President William Gheen is even offering to wear the costume during media interviews next week.

"The illegal alien supporting groups in America are attacking free speech once again," said Gheen. "These are the same types of people that are trying to ban Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck from television. They want to control what people can see, hear, say, or even wear for Halloween in pursuit of their open borders agenda."