Not having official papers or records to prove legal status or identity. Often used to describe immigrants without legal authorization to remain in a country.
From un- (not) + documented, from Latin documentum 'lesson, proof'. The word 'document' originally meant 'teaching' before evolving to mean 'written proof'. The immigration sense emerged in late 20th century as a more neutral alternative to 'illegal alien'.
The shift from 'illegal immigrant' to 'undocumented person' represents more than political correctness - it reflects a fundamental change in how language shapes perception, emphasizing the missing paperwork rather than criminality. This linguistic evolution mirrors changing social attitudes toward immigration.
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