Undocumented immigrant: meaning, definitions and examples

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undocumented immigrant

 

[ ˌʌnˈdɑːkjuˈmɛntɪd ˈɪmɪɡrənt ]

Context #1

legal status

A person who enters a country without proper documentation or authorization, often in search of better opportunities or to escape persecution in their home country.

Synonyms

illegal immigrant, undocumented worker

Examples of usage

  • Many undocumented immigrants come to this country in search of a better life.
  • Undocumented immigrants often face challenges in accessing healthcare and education services.
Context #2

socio-political

An individual who resides in a country without the legal right to do so, often subject to deportation if discovered by authorities.

Synonyms

irregular migrant, unauthorized immigrant

Examples of usage

  • The issue of undocumented immigrants has been a divisive topic in political debates.
  • Undocumented immigrants contribute to the economy through their labor, despite facing uncertain legal status.

Translations

Translations of the word "undocumented immigrant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imigrante indocumentado

🇮🇳 अवैध अप्रवासी

🇩🇪 undokumentierter Einwanderer

🇮🇩 imigran tak berdokumen

🇺🇦 нелегальний іммігрант

🇵🇱 nieudokumentowany imigrant

🇯🇵 不法移民

🇫🇷 immigrant sans papiers

🇪🇸 inmigrante indocumentado

🇹🇷 belgesiz göçmen

🇰🇷 불법 이민자

🇸🇦 مهاجر غير موثق

🇨🇿 nezdokumentovaný imigrant

🇸🇰 nezdokumentovaný imigrant

🇨🇳 无证移民

🇸🇮 nedokumentiran priseljenec

🇮🇸 óskráður innflytjandi

🇰🇿 құжаты жоқ иммигрант

🇬🇪 დაუდგენელი ემიგრანტი

🇦🇿 sənədsiz immiqrant

🇲🇽 inmigrante indocumentado

Word origin

The term 'undocumented immigrant' gained prominence in the late 20th century in the United States to describe individuals who entered the country without proper legal documentation. As migration patterns shifted globally, the term became widely used to address the complex social, economic, and political issues surrounding immigration. The debate over undocumented immigrants continues to evolve, reflecting broader discussions on citizenship, human rights, and border security.