illegal aliens
Unlawful foreign residents
Illegal aliens are foreign nationals residing in a country without legal authorization—either by entering unlawfully or overstaying a visa.
The term is common in legal and political contexts but has become contentious; critics consider it dehumanizing and prefer "undocumented immigrants." Supporters argue it accurately describes violation of immigration law.
The bill addressed illegal aliens already in the country.
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- undocumentedNot officially recorded
- deportationLegal expulsion from country
- borderOuter edge or limit
- border crossingTransit between sovereign territories
ICE · detention · detention center · catch and release · clandestine · unlawful · illegals · anchor baby · overstay · path to citizenship · immigration law · stateless persons · community activism · inadmissible · raid · immigration quotas · visa regulations · deportation policies
- immigrationimmigrant, immigrants, visa, refugee, citizenship
illegal aliensgreen card holders
Immigrants with permanent status
documented immigrants · naturalized citizens · permanent residents · refugees · asylees
illegal alienscitizens
Members of a nation
natives · nationals · countrymen · compatriots · insiders
illegal aliensundocumented immigrants
Migrants without legal papers
undocumented workers · unauthorized migrants · migrants · newcomers · asylum seekers
illegal, aliens, legal, legally, illegally, legality, illegality, legalize, legalization