Asks earnestly to be reinstated illegally, without papers (8)
I believe the answer is:
entreats
'asks earnestly' is the definition.
I know that 'earnestly' relates to this answer.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for entreats that I've seen before include "Requests earnestly" , "Beseeches, pleads" , "Begs earnestly" , "Implores" .)