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

A core of Minneapolis activists is playing a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with the federal agents deployed in force to the midwestern city to round up undocumented immigrants.

From Barron's

The majority of Spain’s undocumented migrants arrive by plane on a temporary visa, which they then overstay.

From The Wall Street Journal

CBS News staffers were stunned when she decided to pull a segment on the abuses at an El Salvador prison used by the U.S. government to detain undocumented immigrants from Venezuela.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is about equal justice under the law,” said Rubio, a one-time undocumented citizen.

From Los Angeles Times

The undocumented populations of California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois, among other states, are far larger.

From The Wall Street Journal