Illegal immigration - Terminology - Encyclopedia II

There are various terms used to describe a person who either enters a country illegally, or who enters legally but subsequently violates the terms of their visa, permanent resident permit or refugee permit. The status and rights of such individuals are a controversial debate based on the economic vitality, job availabilty, costs of illegal immigration, nationalism, racism, and moral concerns.

Due to the political contention surrounding immigration issues, the use of language to describe certain types of immigrants is a sensitive matter. Terms that refer to immigrants who do not have residency permits to stay in the country of their choice, include:

• illegal immigrant
• illegals
• illegal alien
• undocumented alien
• undocumented immigrant

The terms "illegal immigrant" and "illegal alien" are common use phrases that refer to the illegality of the action of migration without legal authorization.

The U.S. Census Bureau defines "immigrants" as "legal permanent residents." Dictionaries define "immigrant" as "one who settles as a permanent resident in another country." Permanency is granted to immigrants by federal issuance of a "green card." An "alien" is a person who comes from a foreign country. Aliens residing in the US without residency authorization are subject to deportation and thus not permanent.

The term "illegal alien" includes "undocumented aliens" and "nonimmigrant overstayers." An "undocumented alien" is an alien who has entered the U.S. illegally, without entry documentation. A "nonimmigrant overstayer" is an alien who remains in the United States beyond the expiration date of the visa. Roughly 60% of the illegal alien population are undocumented aliens and 40 percent are nonimmigrant overstayers.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Terminology", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page