illegal alien
Border crosser, unlawfully
Illegal alien is a person residing in a country without legal authorization—either by entering unlawfully or overstaying a visa.
The term appears frequently in U.S. immigration law and political discourse: The bill would increase penalties for employers who hire illegal aliens.
Critics consider the phrase dehumanizing, preferring "undocumented immigrant" or "unauthorized migrant." Defenders argue it's precise legal terminology.
The choice of term often signals political stance.
- deportationLegal expulsion from country
- deportation orderLegal mandate requiring departure
- immigrantOne who resettles abroad
- detentionTemporary official holding
- immigration raidMass detention of undocumented people
unlawful · sanctuary cities · immigration status · repatriation · work permits · path to citizenship · assimilation · immigration reform · stateless person · labor exploitation · border crossing · xenophobia · visa regulations · visa overstay · border · cultural integration · coyote · naturalization
- immigrationimmigrant, immigrants, visa, refugee, citizenship
- residentsresident, residents, inhabitants, inhabitant, local
- foreignersforeigner, immigrant, immigrants, migrant, expats
- illegal migrantsundocumented immigrant, undocumented worker
- migrationmigration, immigrants, refugees, immigration, emigration
- outsidersoutcast, outsider, outcasts, pariah, misfit
illegal alienlegal resident
Lawfully authorized to reside
documented immigrant · legal immigrant · visa holder · green card holder · naturalized citizen
illegal aliencitizen
Legal national member
national · native · naturalized citizen · countryman · compatriot
illegal alienundocumented immigrant
Foreigner without legal residency
undocumented worker · newcomer · migrant · asylum seeker · refugee
illegal, alien, legal, legally, illegally, legality, illegality, legalize, legalization