Refugees and other Migrants - Essay Example

Running Head: Refugees and other Migrants Refugees and other Migrants [Institute’s Refugees and other Migrants Since antiquity, humans have migrated from one place to another to acquire a comfortable land for their family, as well as, their livelihood. In the past, people used to migrate in groups, or even whole villages due to difficult weather, as well as, searching for a land for farming and trading. However, as the centuries passed, civilizations and cultures were formed by people, which resulted in specific locations under a particular kingdom, and thus, people used to migrate according to wishes of kings and rulers. In the 18th century, lands were divided in different bordered countries that were formed after various bloodshed wars, and countries were now ruled by monarchs, as well as, democrats. In other words, democracy was introduced after the French Revolution that modified the monopolistic perspective of reign. Moreover, globalization completely altered the concept of geographical locations, and people began to migrate from one country to another for a better living standard. It was observed that Western countries confronted a higher percentage of migrants from eastern part of the globe, such as, Asia, Africa, etc. One of the significant factors of such migration has been the developed region of Western world, which forced Asians and Africans to migrate from their homeland, in order to earn a higher amount, as well as, enjoy other facilities that are not even available in eastern region of the world yet. Until 19th century, immigrants were not categorized, and all used to enjoy the same benefits and confront similar issues; however, in recent century, steps have been taken to differentiate migrants into different categories, such as immigrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, etc. In specific, this paper will discuss and analyze such proposition relation to the distinction between refugees and other migrants. In other words, individuals coming after forced migration and other immigrants will be discussed and compared in this paper, in order to decide whether their distinction is essential or useless. In broader terms, refugees can be considered none other than migrants; however, it is essential to distinguish them from other categories due to a number of factors. In terms of definition, race, religious, political, and social reasons have been associated with well-founded fear related to self-persecution that is expressed by an individual, and referred as a refugee. Moreover, such individual is always outside his homeland and shows fear on outcomes that may occur after his arrival in the home country. In this regard, a refugee expresses unwillingness for his return to homeland because of abovementioned factors, which is one of the most significant distinguishing factors between refugees and other migrants. (Ingleby, pp. 23-25, 2005) Over the past few years, steps have been taken to broaden the concept of refugees due to frequent political and terrorist events in different parts of the globe. A number of experts have specified that international protection and its need by refugees is one of the characteristics that results in categorization of such individuals from other migrants, and it becomes essential to distinguish them from other. As discussed, refugees show a justifiable fear, which results in the establishment of their rights to seek refuge in other countries, which is not sought by other migrants while leaving their home country. Studies have noted intersection in between a number of movements of refugees, as well as, migrants. After the events of 9/11, governments have started to limit the cooperation that was available in the past to the refugees. Cases of illegal immigration and irregular migration are now being curbed by the governments due to various concerns related to terrorist activities in the region. It is observed that a number of countries have discontinued the regulations that used to allow individuals to seek refugee status after arriving on the territory. Sea route has always been a major mode of acquiring a refugee entry; however, boats are now prohibited on high seas, which have reduced the level of irregular migration of refugees in an adverse manner. In other words, distinction between refugees and other migrants has now become very essential due to unauthorized movements of individuals with the help of fraudulent human smugglers. One of the major causes of such fraudulent activities in the name of refugees is prolonged period of immigration process for refugees. In a number of Western countries, it takes years for an individual to complete the process of immigration after expressing his well-founded fear; however, he is allowed to reside and work, which has encouraged a number of asylum seekers to pose as refugees in midst of wars in various parts of the globe. (Indra, pp. 31-32, 1999) All such factors have prevented governments in treating refugees and other migrants in a similar manner. Introduction of strict policies for refugees has resulted in reduction of applications related to refugee status, and thus, it has become essential for every country to limit the conditions and opportunities that may allow individuals to enjoy the benefits of refugees outside his homeland country. Recent studies have specified that governments have put international migration on higher agenda after different dialogues by countries, as well as, the United Nations around the globe. Most of the countries in such dialogues have accepted that distinction between refugees and migrants will facilitate both countries of origin, as well as, the countries of destination in a positive manner. (Christopher, pp. 75-78, 2007) Moreover, root factors related to international migration are essential to be addressed, which may allow the governments to control the movements in an effective manner. One of other reasons of distinguishing refugees from other migrants is the creation of enormous challenges that are being confronted by the international community, as a number of migrants utilize the asylum channel to reside in a foreign country, which affects the physical, social, as well as, economical structures of the country. Furthermore, educational sector of the foreign countries is affected as well by the irregular movements of migrants and refugees. In this regard, it is essential to distinguish the different groups in a diverse manner, rather than treating them similarly. However, in midst of the abovementioned restrictions and limitations, it is the right of refugees to seek international protection that should not be prohibited, and thus, it has been a difficult task to distinguish between these groups due to uncooperative attitude of shipping companies, international organizations, countries of transit, countries of origin, as well as, the destination. In this regard, it is very necessary that steps should be taken in collaboration with all the participants involved in the process of international migration. Now the paper will discuss some of the differences identified during various studies, which will support the proposition of distinguishing refugees and migrants. Choice is the one of the significant difference that distinguished refugees from other migrants. In brief, a foreign country is selected by migrants according to their wish; however, refugees do not leave their country by choice, and political or other crisis is the reason of their departure from the homeland country. (Moses, pp. 67-68, 2006) In addition, refugees cannot choose their possessions and travelling options, which are enjoyed by migrants. On the other hand, refugees have to leave everything behind and they confront a psychological trauma due to economical loss of their possessions, and thus, it is essential that refugees should be treated differently, as compared with other migrants. In terms of migrants, departure is planned and families and friends are able to bid farewell to their loved ones, which provides an emotional satisfaction, whereas, refugees often require a secret departure that results in an emotional unpreparedness resulting in emotionally deteriorated behaviors. (Juss, pp. 49-52, 2006) In addition, migrants are able to take passports, educational documents, and other papers that may help them in living a higher standard life in the foreign country, and on the other hand, no documentation is provided by refugees at the arrival in foreign country, which tends the foreign countries to distinguish between migrants and refugees. Studies have shown that refugees experience emotional and psychological stress due to loss of family members and loved ones in their homeland country, as well as, during their flight to the foreign country, which does not occur in the case of migrants. As earlier mentioned, journeys of migrants are usually planned involving detailed research about living expenses, educational institutions, and local conditions that may influence the living. However, refugees usually experience traumatized journeys involving economical loss, family loss, as well as, emotional loss due to different events occurred in their mother country, and thus, they are less likely to adjust in the new culture and location easily, as compared with migrants. In this regard, it is very essential to distinguish between refugees and other migrants, in order to curb the irregular migratory movements. Since after 9/11, steps are being taken to deal such issues in an effective manner, however, it is very imperative to carry out comprehensive researches and studies in this subject, in order to construct collaborative policies, which may benefit the globe as a whole. Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of international migration, and distinction between refugees and other migration that has become essential for effective development of countries around the globe. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. References David Ingleby. (2005). Forced Migration and Mental Health. London, UK: Springer. Doreen Indra. (1999). Engendering Forced Migration. Oxford, UK: Berghahn Books. Emma Christopher. (2007). Many Middle Passages. California, USA: University of California Press. Jonathon Wayne Moses. (2006). International Migration. London, UK: Zed Books. Satvinder Singh Juss. (2006). International Migration and Global Justice. London, UK: Ashgate Publishing limited. Total Words: 1524 Words Read More