Who are considered unauthorized immigrants?

Unauthorized immigrants are individuals who enter a country without the necessary legal documentation or in violation of the country's immigration laws. This group includes those who cross borders illegally or overstay their visas without proper authorization. The focus is on the lack of valid immigration status, which is the defining characteristic of unauthorized immigrants.

In contrast, individuals with temporary visas are legally allowed to stay in the country for a specific duration and purpose, such as work or study, making them authorized immigrants. Those who enter with valid documents, regardless of their reason for visiting, also don't fit the definition of unauthorized immigrants, since they have complied with immigration requirements. Likewise, refugees seeking asylum are often granted legal status due to their protection needs, which qualifies them as authorized entrants under specific humanitarian circumstances. Thus, the correct identification of unauthorized immigrants revolves around their lack of legal entry into the host country.