How is an alien who makes an illegal entry characterized in terms of admission status?

• A. As a visitor
• B. As a resident
• C. As an applicant for admission
• D. As a long-term resident

Answer: (C)

An alien who makes an illegal entry is characterized as an applicant for admission because, by law, anyone who enters the United States without proper authorization or inspection is not considered to have been lawfully admitted. Instead, they have to be seen in the context of being processed for admission under immigration law. This means that despite their presence in the U.S., they are still subject to the rules governing admission and must go through the legal channels to establish their status.

This contrasts with terms like "visitor" or "resident," which imply a level of legal presence or status that individuals making illegal entries do not possess. Additionally, being labeled a "long-term resident" typically suggests established legal residency, which illegal entrants do not have. Thus, viewing the alien as an applicant for admission accurately reflects their position within the immigration framework.