Undocumented immigrant: meaning, definitions and examples
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undocumented immigrant
[ ˌʌnˈdɑːkjuˈmɛntɪd ˈɪmɪɡrənt ]
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.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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undocumented immigrant |
This seems to be a duplicate, see the context and examples provided for 'undocumented immigrant' above.
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illegal immigrant |
This term has a negative connotation and is often used in legal or political contexts to emphasize the lack of legal status. It can be perceived as pejorative.
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undocumented worker |
This phrase is often used when the primary focus is on the employment status rather than the person’s immigration status. It is used in discussions about labor, employment rights, and economic issues.
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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.
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.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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undocumented immigrant |
Used in more informal or neutral contexts to describe someone living in a country without official papers or legal permission.
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unauthorized immigrant |
Often used in official or legal contexts to describe someone who is in a country without legal permission. It can carry a slightly negative connotation.
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irregular migrant |
Preferred in more formal, academic, or policy discussions to describe people who enter a country without legal permission or overstay their visa.
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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
Etymology
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.