undocumented

American  

[uhn-dok-yuh-men-tid] / ʌnˈdɒk yəˌmɛn tɪd /

adjective

1. lacking documentation or authentication.

2. lacking proper immigration or working papers: undocumented immigrants.

   an undocumented worker;

   undocumented immigrants.

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Sensitive Note

See illegal alien.

Etymology

Origin of undocumented

First recorded in 1880–85; un- ¹ + documented ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does undocumented compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• undocumented vs. illegal

Example Sentences

In recent years, undocumented Hondurans have been at the forefront of the U.S.-bound migration wave from Central America.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 1970s integrated undocumented Mexican workers into industrial America.

From The Wall Street Journal

An undocumented mother worried more for her son, a college graduate whose deportation protection feels under threat.

From Los Angeles Times

Along Chile's desert border with Peru, dozens of undocumented migrants line up under the hot sun to try to seek a way out of the country.

From Barron's

Immigration raids are straining school communities across California, where about 1 million children have a parent who is undocumented and about 300,000 students are undocumented themselves.

From Los Angeles Times