Alien (in legal context)

In a legal context, an "alien" refers to a person who is not a citizen or national of the country in which they reside. This term is often used in immigration law to distinguish between citizens (people who belong to a country) and foreign nationals (aliens) who may have different rights and privileges. Aliens can include immigrants with legal residency, visa holders, and undocumented individuals. The legal status of an alien can affect their ability to work, access services, and the legal protections available to them within that country.