Migration Studies Glossary

The protection granted by a state to a foreign national who has fled their country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution.

The set of institutions, laws, policies, and practices that govern the movement of people across national borders.

The emigration of highly trained or qualified people from a particular country, reducing its pool of skilled human capital.

The social process by which migrants from a particular area follow earlier migrants to a particular destination, facilitated by social networks.

The legal status of belonging to a particular country, conferring rights such as voting, residence, and protection, along with obligations such as taxation and military service.

The movement of people driven primarily by the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, drought, and desertification.

The formal removal of a foreign national from a country for violating immigration laws or on grounds of national security or public order.

A dispersed population originating from the same homeland that maintains a collective identity and connections to the country of origin.

The forced movement of people from their homes, localities, or countries, caused by conflict, persecution, natural disasters, or development projects.

The three internationally recognized solutions for refugees: voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement to a third country.

A general term referring to involuntary movements of people, including refugee flows, internal displacement, trafficking, and development-induced displacement.

The facilitation of illegal border crossing for financial gain, with the migrant's consent. Distinguished from trafficking, which involves exploitation.

The recruitment, transport, or harboring of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation, including forced labor and sexual exploitation.

The process by which immigrants become accepted into the host society through economic, social, cultural, and political participation.

A person who has been forced to leave their home but remains within their country's borders, not crossing an internationally recognized state boundary.

The movement of people from one place to another for the purpose of employment, either temporarily or permanently.

The legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship of a country, typically after meeting residency, language, and civic knowledge requirements.

The principle in international law that prohibits the return of refugees to a country where they would face threats to their life or freedom.

The framework categorizing migration drivers into push factors (negative conditions at origin) and pull factors (attractive conditions at destination).

A person who has fled their country owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.

Financial transfers made by migrants to recipients in their home countries, constituting a major source of external financing for many developing nations.

The transfer of refugees from a country of asylum to a third country that has agreed to admit them and grant them permanent residence.

The condition of not being considered a citizen or national by any state, resulting in the denial of fundamental rights and legal protections.

The maintenance of social, economic, cultural, and political connections by migrants across the borders of two or more nation-states simultaneously.

The fear, hatred, or prejudice against people from other countries or cultures, often manifesting in discrimination, hostility, or violence toward immigrants and foreigners.