student asking question

I thought "status" normally refers to one's condition. But does it also mean "rights" or "qualifications" as well?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Here, "status" actually refers to one's national status as a citizen of the country, residence, or visa. So people "without status" aren't in the country under citizenship, a visa, or residence, implying that they could be there illegally. Ex: I gained residence status in 2010. Ex: There are so many people without status in this country since they fled their country.

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