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

She delayed a “60 Minutes” segment on the government’s use of an El Salvador prison to detain undocumented migrants for more reporting, only to have it air with minor changes.

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, the government managed a fragile truce with undocumented immigrants, who in return for paying taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, would not have their financial disclosures given to immigration enforcement agencies.

From Salon

But, as an undocumented migrant in Spain, life has been difficult.

From BBC

Katrina, like us, is rightly horrified but she’s in her own bind: undocumented, saved by Chris from the streets, with her signature on a confidentiality agreement and a deportation threat hanging over her.

From Los Angeles Times

The former South Dakota governor's tenure was marked by an aggressive campaign to expel millions of undocumented migrants and high-profile photo ops.

From Barron's