ilegales

Ilegales is the Spanish plural form of the adjective ilegal, meaning illegal. It is used to describe actions, conditions, or entities that violate laws or regulations. In ordinary speech and writing, ilegales can modify plural nouns, for example, actos ilegales (illegal acts) or personas ilegales (people who are considered illegal by a given criterion). In criminological or journalistic contexts, the noun use can refer to groups or individuals involved in illegal activity, though labeling people as ilegales can be controversial and contentious.

In immigration and public policy discourse, the term has sometimes been employed to describe undocumented or irregular migrants, a usage that is debated among scholars and journalists. Many outlets prefer more neutral terms such as irregular or undocumented migrants to avoid pejorative connotations and to emphasize status rather than identity.

Beyond legal and policy contexts, the word has also appeared as a cultural toponym. The form ilegales has been adopted as a name by several music acts in the Spanish-speaking world, spanning genres like ska, reggae, and rock. In literature and media, the term may appear in titles or characterizations to convey themes of rebellion, marginality, or illicit activity, often without endorsement by the author.

In translation, the closest English equivalents are illegal or the phrase illegal acts, with context determining whether it refers to behavior, status, or a group. The plural form ile ga les aligns with masculine or mixed-gender nouns; for feminine subjects, the same form igbally applies in Spanish.