Migration: What Are the Differences Among a Migrant, Refugee, and Asylum Seeker?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

An important geography theme is movement, which explores the movement of people, animals, manufactured goods, and ideas.

This lesson focuses on people's movement, or migration, across international borders. Three broad classifications of people move from one place to another: migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker.

As you explore the resources below, write down the definitions for these classifications and their distinctions. These articles will repeat some information, but each provides more details on a subject that you’ll find useful.

• UNHCR viewpoint: 'Refugee’ or ‘migrant’ – Which is right?
• Explainer: the difference between asylum seekers, refugees, and economic migrants
• 7 facts about world migration
  • Click the interactive map to explore countries' emigration and immigration patterns.

Compare your notes with this definition from the Migration Policy Institute.

"In the United States, the major difference between refugees and asylees is the location of the person at the time of application. Refugees are usually outside of the United States when they are screened for resettlement, whereas asylum seekers submit their applications while they are physically present in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry. Refugees and asylees also differ in admissions process used and agencies responsible for reviewing their application."

Continue to the Got It? section to further explore migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.