New York Times On The Difference Between A Migrant Or Refugee

Migrant or Refugee? name: Michael Agege ________________________

Human Geography: Unit 2

Part I. Read the article below from the New York Times on the difference between a migrant and a refugee. The difference between the two is a fundamental understanding you’ll need to move forward with this unit. Answer the accompanying questions in complete sentences.

*note: the article is from 2015, but while the migrant crisis in Europe has changed and only gotten more complicated, the fundamental differences between a refugee and a migrant still apply

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/28/world/migrants-refugees-europe-syria.html?_r=0

In your words, what is a refugee?

A refugee is someone that is from a nation that is victim to war or violence,

It would be important for a person to reach the status of refuge because it could be the difference of them being persecuted or being able to flee legally. Also, reaching the status would prevent a refugee from being sent back to the country they fled. It would be essential for a refugee to reach this status if they want to have another country protect them from their home country.

In your words, what is a migrant?

A migrant is someone who is moving from one territory to another without any pressure from war or violence. Anyone who is freely moving from one place to another can be considered a migrant.

Why is there a debate about those fleeing from areas impacted by climate change?

There is an ongoing debate because in a way the people who are fleeing from areas impacted by climate change are being persecuted and affected by the environment. There is a threat that is changing both the land and the people who live there. They are suffering as much as people who come from countries that are torn apart by war. Both are forced to flee and can’t return to their countries.

Why do some politicians prefer to call everyone fleeing to Europe a

If a politician referred to refugees as migrants, it could act as a loophole and allow the politician to kick the refugees out. It is a method of empowerment that can be used because refugees and migrants are similar to a certain degree.

Why is it difficult to categorize the large number of people fleeing to Europe?

It is difficult to categorize the large number of people fleeing to Europe because the terms migrant and refugee are similar, as well as the fact that human tracking doesn’t contrast people precisely. A boat that is arriving in Europe could be a mix of both migrants and refugees but human traffickers would not be 100% precise when classifying the people.

How does the United States treat the matter of settling refugees?

Part 2. Watch the video at the link below, which gives an Introduction to the International Refugee Regime. **watch from minute 2:05 – 7:00 only** Then answer the questions below.

http://vimeo.com/74987092

8. The 1951 Convention relating to the Status on Refugees and its 1967 Protocol defines a refugee by: a. A person who is not in the country of their origin or their