Basic Terms and Defintions

Back to: History and Background of Migration in Germany

„Migrants“, „refugees“or „asylum seekers“

In 2015, the issue of migration became the focus of political and social debate 1. Many people use terms such as „migrants“, „refugees“ or „asylum seekers“ without really thinking about their exact definition. In the context of the „refugee crisis“ they have often been mentioned and some have established themselves as commonly used and generally valid terms for people who have come to Germany from other countries.

From a legal and political point of view, however, there are clear distinctions that a person should know if they, like you, wish to support people. Therefore, you will find below an overview of important basic terms from the context of migration. Perhaps you already know some of them very well.

Try to come up with your own definition in your head before opening the containers.

Definitions

What is migration?
  • Migration refers to the long-term relocation of the center of one’s life over a long distance. There is still no universal definition of how long the distance and time must be for human movement to be classified as migration.
  • The United Nations provides a guideline: residence must be changed across national borders and must be accompanied by a duration of more than three months (short-term migration) or more than one year (permanent migration).
  • of importance is also the general motivation of a person to change his/her place of residence for a longer period of time.
  • The following types are distinguished: Labor migration Family migration Educational migration Refugee migration Lifestyle Migration2
What is a welcome society?
  • It is often assumed that the term was coined in the context of the so-called „refugee crisis“ in 2015. In fact, however, the term goes back to debates about the Immigration Law of 2005.
  • They were concerned with the recognition that it was not enough for Germany merely to acknowledge that it was an immigration country.
  • Rather, the „welcome culture“ was demanded in the context of the threatening shortage of skilled workers.
  • Germany should become more attractive and provide better access to the labor market.
  • In 2015, the broad willingness of civil society to help and receive refugees led to the discussion of a vivid welcome culture.3
Who is considered a refugee?
  • Many use this term as a generally valid term for all people who have come to Germany out of need. From a legal point of view, however, only those persons who fall under the so-called Geneva Convention are considered refugees.
  • A refugee has the right to security and protection in another country because there is a well-founded fear of persecution in his own country. He/she knows that it is no longer possible to stay or return to his/her home country.
  • Refugees are therefore forced to leave the country due to external circumstances.
  • Reasons for this may be the following: Religion Nationality Political opinions Ethnicity Group membership 4
Who is considered a quota refugee?
  • Quota refugees are refugees who are taken out of crisis areas with the help of humanitarian aid organizations.
  • A residence permit is also issued for some groups of foreigners.
Who is considered a migrant?
  • The term migrant is much more general and refers to persons who move across national or state borders to another place.
  • This is often done out of one’s own free will and the desire to improve one’s own living conditions. Strictly speaking, however, refugees also count as migrants5
Who is considered an aslyum seeker?
Further information on the subject of asylum systems can be found in the course „ The Asylumsystem and its functions„

Footnotes

  1. Selbstverständigenrat deutscher Stiftungen für Integration und Migration (2019): Aufgaben und Ziele, [online] https://www.svr-migration.de/sachverstaendigenrat/aufgaben-und-ziele/ [05.02.19]
  2. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Dossier Migration, [online] http://www.bpb.de/gesellschaft/migration/dossier-migration/ [05.02.19]
  3. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung: Dossier Migration, [online] http://www.bpb.de/gesellschaft/migration/dossier-migration/ [05.02.19]
  4. tagesschau.de: Fakten und Antworten. Asylbewerber, Flüchtlinge, Migranten- Was sind die Unterschiede?, [online] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/fluechtlinge-531.html [05.02.19]
  5. tagesschau.de: Fakten und Antworten. Asylbewerber, Flüchtlinge, Migranten- Was sind die Unterschiede?, [online] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/fluechtlinge-531.html [05.02.19]
  6. tagesschau.de: Fakten und Antworten. Asylbewerber, Flüchtlinge, Migranten- Was sind die Unterschiede?, [online] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/fluechtlinge-531.html [05.02.19]