Illegal Alien (song)

"Illegal Alien"
Single by Genesis
from the album Genesis
B-side	"Turn It On Again" (Live)
Released	23 January 1984[1]
Length	4:33 (single version) 5:14 (LP album version)
Label	Atlantic Virgin Vertigo
Songwriter(s)	Tony Banks Phil Collins Mike Rutherford
Producer(s)	Banks Collins Rutherford Hugh Padgham
Genesis singles chronology
"Home by the Sea" (1983) "Illegal Alien" (1984) "Taking It All Too Hard" (1984)

"Illegal Alien" is a song by the English rock band Genesis. It was written by members Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford, produced by all three alongside Hugh Padgham, and released as the third single from their self-titled 1983 album in January 1984. The song's lyrics, inspired by the band's troubles with getting visas to reenter the United States while on tour, tell the satirical story of an illegal alien facing obstacles in the process of trying to move to the United States. Its accompanying music video depicts the members of Genesis as a group of Mexican men unsuccessfully attempting to get their passports approved, and shows them in ponchos and sombreros.

"Illegal Alien" reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. In retrospective reviews, "Illegal Alien" and its music video received largely negative reception, with critics describing both as racist and stereotypical. Genesis performed the song live throughout their Mama Tour from 1983 to 1984.