Definition of undocumented

The term "undocumented" when used to describe people has a relatively recent origin. Until the 1980s, the preferred term was "illegal alien" or "illegally present." However, this language was criticized for being overly restrictive and stigmatizing. In the 1980s, advocates for immigrant rights and civil liberties began to use the term "undocumented immigrant" or "undocumented worker" to refer to individuals who lacked official documentation, such as a visa or green card. This wording aimed to shift the focus from the individual's legality to their presence in the country. The term gained widespread use during the 1996 proposed Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), which sparked debate about immigration policy. Today, "undocumented" is widely used in academic, political, and media contexts to describe individuals who lack formal documentation, emphasizing their humanity and dignity rather than their legal status.