illegal immigrant
Border crosser unlawfully
An illegal immigrant is a person residing in a country without legal authorization—either by entering without permission or by overstaying a visa.
The term is straightforward but politically charged; critics prefer "undocumented immigrant," arguing that no person is inherently illegal.
Supporters consider it accurate description of immigration status.
The factory employed illegal immigrants at below minimum wage.
Not officially recorded
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- visa overstayRemaining after authorization expires
- paperlessUsing no printed materials
- unregisteredNot formally recorded
irregular · work permit · green card · amnesty · legalization · pathway · DACA · dreamer
Act of taking away
- detentionTemporary official holding
- ICEImmigration enforcement bureau
- raidSudden armed incursion
- deporteePerson forcibly removed abroad
deportation order · repatriation · expulsion · enforcement · immigration court · sanctuary city · due process · appeal
Point where paths intersect
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
- checkpointInspection station on route
coyote · trafficking · surveillance · barrier · enforcement · desert · river · wall
Person fleeing danger abroad
- asylum seekerOne requesting official protection
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- political asylumGovernment-granted refugee protection
safe haven · protection · flee · displaced · resettlement · human rights · oppression · humanitarian
Selfish use of others
- wage theftEmployer withholding earned compensation
- day laborerCasual hired worker
- agricultural workerPerson who farms
- domestic workerHired help at residence
construction · meatpacking · sweatshop · underground economy · cash payment · E-Verify · working conditions · remittances
undocumented
Not officially recorded
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- visa overstayRemaining after authorization expires
- paperlessUsing no printed materials
unregistered · irregular · work permit · green card · amnesty · legalization · pathway · DACA · dreamer · TPS
removal
Act of taking away
deportee · deportation order · repatriation · expulsion · enforcement · immigration court · sanctuary city · due process · appeal · detainee
crossing
Point where paths intersect
- patrolRegular surveillance route
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
checkpoint · coyote · trafficking · surveillance · barrier · enforcement · desert · river · wall · entry
refugee
Person fleeing danger abroad
- asylum seekerOne requesting official protection
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
political asylum · safe haven · protection · flee · displaced · resettlement · human rights · oppression · humanitarian · shelter
exploitation
Selfish use of others
- wage theftEmployer withholding earned compensation
- day laborerCasual hired worker
- agricultural workerPerson who farms
domestic worker · construction · meatpacking · sweatshop · underground economy · cash payment · E-Verify · working conditions · remittances · seasonal work
- immigrationimmigrants, visa, refugee, citizenship, asylum
- UK ImmigrationBritish citizenship, British passport, Home Office, immigration law, immigration officer
- fugitivesfugitive, escapee, escaped convict, runaway, prison escapee
- displaced peoplerefugee, displaced, IDPs, asylum seeker, displaced persons
- labor migrationmigrant worker, migrant workers, labor migration, guest workers, guest worker
illegal immigrantlegal immigrant
Approved foreign settler
documented immigrant · legal resident · naturalized citizen · green card holder · legal alien
illegal immigrantcitizen
Legal national member
native · national · native son · local
illegal immigrantemigrant
Person resettling in another nation
deportee · exile · expatriate · repatriate
illegal, immigrant, illegally, illegitimate, illegality, illegitimacy, illegitimately