The unauthorized or undocumented resident immigrant population is defined as all foreign-born non-citizens who are not legal residents. Most unauthorized residents either entered the United States without inspection or were admitted temporarily and stayed past the date they were required to leave.

Unauthorized residents applying for adjustment to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) are unauthorized until they have been granted lawful permanent residence (a green card)—even though they may have been authorized to work. Persons who are beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are not technically unauthorized.

In Oklahoma, as in other states, the unauthorized or undocumented resident immigrant population is comprised of foreign-born individuals who are not legal residents. This includes those who entered the country without proper inspection and those who overstayed their visas. Unauthorized residents in Oklahoma who seek to adjust their status to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) remain unauthorized until they are granted a green card, despite possibly having work authorization. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries, however, are not considered unauthorized, as TPS is a temporary legal status granted to eligible nationals of designated countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that temporarily prevent safe return.