Legal Definitions - illegal immigrant

Definition: An individual who enters or resides in a country without proper authorization or documentation from the government.

Examples:

• An individual who crosses the border into the United States without a valid visa or passport.
• A person who overstays their visa and continues to live and work in the country without renewing their documentation.

These examples illustrate how an individual can become an illegal immigrant by not following the proper legal procedures to enter or reside in a country. It is important to note that being an illegal immigrant is not a criminal offense, but rather a civil violation of immigration law.