Who Gets to Be an Immigrant?

Some people move to another country and call themselves expats.
Others move and are called immigrants.

Some are seen as adventurous, ambitious, the kind of people who bring culture and expertise with them.
Others are seen as outsiders, job-takers, people who need to prove they belong.

What’s the difference?

Race? Country of origin? The passport they carry?

Because let’s be honest—not everyone who moves abroad is treated the same way.

A European living in New York is “exploring new opportunities.”
An American in Paris is “living the dream.”
A South Asian in London is “taking advantage of the system.”
A Latin American in the U.S. is “a foreigner.”
A Southeast Asian in Taiwan is “a migrant worker.”

The same action—packing up, leaving home, starting over—yet the world labels some as immigrants and others as something else.

Maybe the real question isn’t who gets to be an immigrant.

Maybe it’s who gets to belong—without having to ask.