Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/undocumented-immigrant/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [U](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/u/) / undocumented immigrant

# undocumented immigrant

phrase (noun phrase, «an undocumented immigrant», plural «undocumented immigrants»)

«undocumented immigrant» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(polite, US) a person living in a country without the legal papers or permission to live there.

### In the lessons

A neutral, respectful term used by many news organisations, schools and charities in the US, instead of harsher words like «illegal alien» or «illegal immigrant». Different groups prefer different words, so the choice often shows a political view.

### Examples

- (news) Millions of undocumented immigrants live in the United States.
- (debate) Politicians argued about undocumented immigrants and their children.
- (charity) The clinic helps undocumented immigrants who are sick.
- (school) Schools must teach all children, including those of undocumented immigrants.
- (report) The law affects undocumented immigrants who have lived here for years.
- (opinion) Some call them "illegal immigrants"; others say "undocumented".

### Note

Trap: a person is not illegal; their legal status is the issue. Word choice is political — notice which words a writer uses. «Undocumented» = without papers.