If you’re unsure of whether to use migrant vs immigrant, you’re hardly alone. A migrant is a person who is traveling from one destination to another. Meanwhile, an immigrant is someone who has arrived at another destination with hopes of staying there permanently. Keep reading for a fuller understanding of these two words, including their similarities and differences.
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What Is A Migrant?
A migrant is a person who is in the process of traveling from their country of origin to a new country. As long as they haven’t reached their final destination, they’re considered a migrant. This term may remain until they’re formally accepted at their destination.
In this usage, migrant is a noun, but it can also be an adjective. For instance, “A migrant issue some communities are facing is housing availability.”
Migrant comes from the Latin migr-, which has the meaning of “to move to a new place.” The word has been in the English language since at least the mid-1700s.
There’s often confusion about the particular status of migrants. Are they refugees fleeing dangerous conditions? Are they asylum seekers, having left a country where they may face persecution? Do they possess temporary visas?
One or more of those may apply. However, a migrant may choose to travel to another place simply for new opportunities.
Examples:
- A migrant traveling from South America to Europe. usually faces a long, difficult journey.
- In my younger years, I lived as a migrant seeking seasonal work from state to state.
- As a migrant from Latin America, you can bring a unique set of skills and experiences here.
- My grandfather came here as a migrant from Myanmar.
- There are a lot of political opinions toward migrants.
- International protection is needed because many migrants face exploitation, discrimination, and human trafficking.
- There is a migrant crisis, but we can’t ignore their human rights.
- A migrant issue some communities are facing is housing availability.
When and How to Use Migrant?
A migrant is someone who’s on the move from one place to another. Someone leaving Guatemala to live in Canada will likely travel through Mexico and the United States to get there. That person is a migrant. The move/migrant association may help you remember this.
Remember that a migrant may be seeking asylum or may be a refugee but that neither is required. Many migrants are simply seeking work and/or a better standard of living.
What Is An Immigrant?
An immigrant is someone who has entered another country and plans to make that country their permanent residence. Like migrant, immigrant is usually a noun but can be an adjective as well. Both words share the same etymology, rooted in the Latin migr-.
Often, immigrants who enter a country legally become lawful permanent residents. Depending on the particular nation, they may have a path to citizenship and full voting rights.
In the United States, for example, you can be a lawful permanent resident without being a citizen. Contrary to common misperceptions, such status means you do pay taxes but cannot vote in federal elections.
Many immigrants have come seeking asylum or are refugees fleeing wars or natural disasters. As with migrants, though, neither is a requirement to immigrate.
Examples:
- My husband was an immigrant from Syria when we met, but he’s now a legal citizen.
- Our great-great-grandmother was an immigrant from Ireland in the 1800s.
- As an immigrant, you will need to learn your new home country’s laws and customs.
- My job required me to become an immigrant to Central America for several years.
- Immigrant traditions have diversified and enriched this country.
When and How to Use Immigrant?
An immigrant is someone who has left one country and is living in another. This is often a permanent relocation, but it can also be a temporary one. For example, you can become an immigrant for work/school while intending to return to your home country. The legal immigration process confers temporary or permanent residency and may include a route to citizenship.
Migrant vs Immigrant: What’s the Difference?
Is using migrant vs immigrant confusing you? The terms are often interchangeable, but there is a technical difference.
Let’s say you are in the process of moving from one country to another. This makes you a migrant, especially if you are traveling through other countries to get to your destination country.
On the other hand, if you have entered another country and intend to stay there, you are an immigrant. Associate “in” with immigrant.
Note that migrants don’t always have to be going from one country to another. A good example of this is migrant workers who travel about a state or country looking for seasonal work.
How About Emigrant vs Immigrant?
An emigrant is a person who is leaving or has left one country to live in another. An immigrant is someone who has arrived and settled in that other country. It might be helpful to associate “exit” with emigrant.
For example, say you’re moving from Australia to Japan. When you leave Australia, you’re an emigrant. Once you arrive in Japan and settle there, you’re an immigrant.
Final Thoughts
Migrant vs immigrant might seem confusing, but there’s a key difference. A migrant is going from one place to another, often with other destinations along the way. On the other hand, an immigrant is already there and intends to live there.
