Defitions of "refugee" v.

"immigrant"
Why better/ worse?
Homeland Security:
Refugee
persons outside country of nationality
- Unable/unwilling to return due to well-founded fear of persecution (not
delusional)
- Must be based on race, religion, nationality, ~ membership to specific group
or political opinion (doesnt include abuse, or leaving for reasons of lack of
rights necessarily ~ what about countries where laws are equally oppressive
to all; Ex: child marriage)
- Ppl w/o nationalities~ outside of last country of long term residence
- Ceilings for certain areas dtmd by president w/ congress as consult
- Possible to become permanent residence after 1 year of lawful residence
(excludes many illegal immigrants)
http://www.dhs.gov/definition-terms
Definition of refugee is inadequate for current patterns of migration in armed
conflicts
- Migration due to civil unrest (Libyan crisis forcing mvnt to Egypt and Tunisia),
points out the definition of refugee is based on individuals and doesnt allow
for larger groups
- {maybe thats good for the long term, it forces change to occur on a social
level and legal level in regards to the country ppl are fleeing from, down side
is that in the short term it leaves fleeing groups in an untenable situation that
cant and shouldnt be ignored; and it raises the question of how should
resources be allocated to account for the displaced in their dwelling}
- Raises the question of level of healthcare for internally displaced people
receive vs externally displaced
BMJ 2011;343:d7390

Toward a new definition of refugee: is the 1951 convention out of date?

- Evolved from The treaty of Versailes and the League of Nations attempt to
protect individuals in other allied countries the modern day office
overseeing refugee protection is the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees established by 1951 Convention.
- is a national, and a person shall not be deemed to be lacking the protection
of the country of his nationality if, without any valid reason based on wellfounded fear, he has not availed himself of the protection of one of the
countries of which he is a national.
o (Brings up the concept of multinationality once thats brought into
play there may be individuals who seek refugee status when they
would be more appropriately classified as immigrants w/respect to

current definitions. And w/current limits on refugees, this creates a

problem for true refugees.)
Environmental refugees not necessarily considered refugees~ current laws
o (Health issues involved due to trauma and infection)

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg (2011) 37:6166

UNHCR
- Migrants, especially economic migrants, choose to move in order to improve
the future prospects of themselves and their families
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html
My views based on the readings:
- immigrant vs refugee want/ability vs need
- Raises questions of in redefining definitions of both would we risk hampering
the movement/ access to healthcare of immigrants who arent refugees?
- Want to redefine to allow for refugees who have a need due to environmental
issues as well as social and political. May want to work towards allowing for a
means for them to return to their own country.
- Raises concerns with issues of acculturation and loss of identity which could
be a threat to mental health.
- Should internally displaced individuals also benefit from the same protections
as externally displaced individuals?