immigrating
Entering new homeland
Immigrating is the act of moving to a new country to live there permanently.
The word emphasizes the destination rather than the departure—you emigrate from somewhere, but immigrate to somewhere: Her grandparents came to America by immigrating through Ellis Island.
The process often involves legal procedures for residency or citizenship.
Legal path to belonging
- oathFormal binding promise
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- citizenshipStatus as state member
dual nationality · swearing-in · civic · voting rights · duties · constitution · test · ceremony
Travel authorization stamp
- green cardU.S. residency document
- work permitOfficial employment eligibility document
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- permanent residentOne who stays indefinitely
deportation · quota · sponsorship · documentation · status · application · petition · lottery
Person fleeing danger abroad
- asylumShelter from persecution
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- protectionGuarding against harm
asylee · humanitarian · displaced · fleeing · war-torn · oppression · genocide · UNHCR
Recent arrival somewhere
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
- integrationCombining into a whole
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
- acculturationAdopting another group's customs
adaptation · community · enclave · neighborhood · diaspora · homeland · host country · remittances
Establish residence elsewhere
- resettleMove to live elsewhere
- departureAct of going away
- arrivalAct of reaching destination
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
border · passage · voyage · transit · embarkation · disembarkation · port of entry · checkpoint
Mass departure from somewhere
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- population shiftRelocation of people groups
- outflowFluid exiting a system
influx · wave · brain drain · brain gain
naturalization
Legal path to belonging
- oathFormal binding promise
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
citizenship · dual nationality · swearing-in · civic · voting rights · duties · constitution · test · ceremony · certificate
visa
Travel authorization stamp
- green cardU.S. residency document
- work permitOfficial employment eligibility document
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
permanent resident · deportation · quota · sponsorship · documentation · status · application · petition · lottery · processing
refugee
Person fleeing danger abroad
- asylumShelter from persecution
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
protection · asylee · humanitarian · displaced · fleeing · war-torn · oppression · genocide · UNHCR · resettlement
newcomer
Recent arrival somewhere
- settlerOne who colonizes territory
- integrationCombining into a whole
- assimilationAbsorbing into a whole
acculturation · adaptation · community · enclave · neighborhood · diaspora · homeland · host country · remittances · family reunification
relocate
Establish residence elsewhere
crossing · border · passage · voyage · transit · embarkation · disembarkation · port of entry · checkpoint · customs
exodus
Mass departure from somewhere
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- population shiftRelocation of people groups
outflow · influx · wave · brain drain · brain gain
- Moving Statusrelocating, relocated, moving, moved, in transit
- populatingsettling, colonizing, inhabiting, occupying, filling
immigratingemigrating
Leaving one's native country
leaving · departing · exiting · fleeing · expatriating
immigratingvisiting
Going to see someone
touring · vacationing · passing through · transiting · traveling
immigratingstaying put
Remaining in place
remaining · staying home · staying · rooting · not moving
- immigration controlRegulating who enters a country
- immigration quotasCaps on permitted newcomers
- Canadian immigrationEntering Canada to stay
- illegal immigrationUnlawful entry into nations
- immigration statusOne's official residency classification
- immigration policyRules controlling border entry