A stateless person is someone who, under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship – the legal bond between a government and an individual – in any country.

While some people are "de jure", or legally stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens under the laws of any state), many people are "de facto", or effectively stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens by any state even if they have a claim to citizenship under the laws of one or more states).

Without citizenship, stateless people have no legal protection and no right to vote, and they often lack access to education, employment, health care, registration of birth, marriage or death, and property rights. Stateless people may also encounter travel restrictions, social exclusion, and heightened vulnerability to sexual and physical violence, exploitation, trafficking in persons, forcible displacement, and other abuses.

More Info: www.state.gov