Expat vs Immigrant vs Refugee

Defining the Terminologies (Based on Oxford Dictionary):

Immigrant: A person who leaves their own country in order to settle permanently in another.

Expatriate (Expat): A person who lives outside their native country.

Migrant Worker: A person who moves to another country or area in order to find employment, in particular seasonal or temporary work.

Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

These terms, while superficially grounded in nuances of stay duration and migration intent, unveil underlying political and socio-economic biases in their regular usage.

This linguistic differentiation upholds and propagates established global hierarchies. By identifying some individuals as 'expats', there's an implicit suggestion of privilege, choice, and elevated status. Conversely, the term 'migrant worker' becomes associated with economic compulsion, necessity, and lower standing.

The power of language is profound; it shapes perceptions, creates identities, and reinforces global hierarchies. Identifying and confronting these latent biases offers a path towards crafting a more balanced and inclusive narrative.