What’s The Difference Between Immigrant and Migrant?

The current mass migration to Europe has sparked some interest in the language we use to describe the people that are making the journey to the prosperous European Union. In the UK, media outlets have been criticized for using the word migrant, which frustrates other countries who think the term refugee is more appropriate; some call for the term immigrant.  

US Immigration Bonds has been in the business of helping families and loved ones with problems with immigration, and can answer the popular question of the difference between the terms ‘immigrant’ and ‘migrant’?  

An immigrant is someone who travels to a new country to start a new life. The intention is to stay in the new country for a prolonged period of time, or as long as the rest of their lives. Immigrants are apt to start up small businesses and raise their children to inherent the languages and customs of both countries. They settle in their new countries and they are characterized as having the desire to become a citizen of the new country. A key difference between immigrant and migrant is that immigrants leave their countries in hopes of a better life. Some are motivated to leave because of economic hardships in their native lands, while other leave because of political strife or violence. If they are leaving for reasons pertaining to the latter, they can sometimes be referred to as refugees.  

A migrant is a person who enjoys moving. They are travelers and prefer not to stay in one place for extended periods of time. Migrants can be foreigners or citizens. An example of a citizen migrant would be an America carnival worker who travels the country indefinitely; never having a place to call home. And here again we see a key difference between immigrant and migrant is the idea of a home or stable location.  

US Immigration Bonds and Insurance Services is committed to offering the immigration bail bond services to our clients.