Illegal Aliens - What Is An Illegal Alien?

Illegal aliens are also known as illegal immigrants, illegal migrants, unauthorized migrants, undocumented immigrants, undocumented residents, and undocumented aliens. People often assume that the term illegal aliens refers specifically to Mexicans who have crossed the U.S.–Mexico border to work illegally in the United States. Although Mexicans may account for a number of the unauthorized entrants to the United States, illegal aliens can come from anywhere in the world.

An illegal alien is defined as a person who is not a U.S. citizen and who is in the United States in violation of U.S. immigration laws. An illegal alien could be one of the following:

• An undocumented alien, also known as an EWI (Entry Without Inspection), who entered the United States without a visa (such as a stowaway), often between land ports of entry
• A person who entered the United States using fraudulent documentation
• A person who entered the United States legally with a temporary visa and then stayed beyond the time allowed; this person was referred to as a nonimmigrant overstay or a visa overstay
• A legal permanent resident who committed a crime after entry, became subject to an order of deportation, but failed to depart