Is there a difference between an immigrant and a migrant?

[Epistemologist]

Is it just me, or is the the term "migration" supposed to be used just for animals? I'm not sure, but in light of lots of the debate on U.S. illegal entry by Mexican "migrants" and even Muslim "migration" into Canada, it seems that I've seen the term "migrant" (concerning that thread about mandating them not to stone people etc.) used more frequently to describe them.

Am I just seeing things? Are the two words interchangeable? If so, when would you use one word over the other? Do geese "immigrate" from one place to another?

Hmm...interesting, and I ought to address this in a blog. :eek:

[Scribbler1]

Without double checking with my dictionary, for the sake of simplicity I would say an IMMIGRANT is someone who moves from one place to live in another, whereas a MIGRANT is someone who just moves around and has no particular long-term residence.
They are not interchangeable words.

[pubmanager]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source mi·grant (mī'grənt) Pronunciation Key n. 1. One that moves from one region to another by chance, instinct, or plan. 2. An itinerant worker who travels from one area to another in search of work. im·mi·grant /ˈɪmɪgrənt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[im-i-gruhnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1. a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. 2. an organism found in a new habitat. –adjective 3. of or pertaining to immigrants and immigration: a department for immigrant affairs. 4. immigrating.

immigrant - Definitions from Dictionary.com

I think in Britain "immigrant" is considered to carry negative connotations due to the way it has been used by the press, right-wing political parties etc

e.g. "illegal immigration" "illegal immigrants"

The word migrants does not have the same negative associations and therefore is considered more 'PC' I guess.

I suppose could come from the fact that one aspect of the meaning of the word 'migrant' is an intention to work whereas this is absent in the dictionary definition of 'immigrant'.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: pubmanager I suppose could come from the fact that one aspect of the meaning of the word 'migrant' is an intention to work whereas this is absent in the dictionary definition of 'immigrant'.

I don't think that is entirely correct, and therefore why it isn't in the definition. It just means "to move around" and work is not a requirement for that. However, you are right about the popular, albeit incorrect usage of the word. But the term "migrant worker" covers that, which USED to be the way the term was used.

[pubmanager]

Quote by: Scribbler1 I don't think that is entirely correct, and therefore why it isn't in the definition

I was referring to this part of the definition:

2. An itinerant worker who travels from one area to another in search of work.

Not sure how much bearing it has, was just a suggestion for the possible distinction.

Immigrant also suggests a more deliberate and permanent re-location.

[Scribbler1]

My fault for missing that part.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: pubmanager immigrant - Definitions from Dictionary.com I think in Britain "immigrant" is considered to carry negative connotations due to the way it has been used by the press, right-wing political parties etc e.g. "illegal immigration" "illegal immigrants" The word migrants does not have the same negative associations and therefore is considered more 'PC' I guess. I suppose could come from the fact that one aspect of the meaning of the word 'migrant' is an intention to work whereas this is absent in the dictionary definition of 'immigrant'.

It just seemed like "migrant" had more negative connotations than "immigrant" in the U.S. I mean, I especially saw that when reading history textbooks. But yeah, perhaps the denotation is different.

[Epistemologist]

Hmmm