There are some interesting points raised by @publiclawcentre which I think are definitely worth considering. For my part I agree in principle that creating the narrative distinction between "migrants" and "refugees" is problematic, however, at this current moment.... 1/
https://twitter.com/publiclawcentre/status/1419987975207804930
I do also think it is necessary, provided, and this is the crucial part, that it is made clear that the distinction is not to imply any negative connotation to "migrants". In the UK, currently, the asylum and immigration systems are effectively separate, and for good reason. 2/
Take the whole "jumping the queue" line so beloved of the Home Office at present. Refugees, by the very nature of their circumstances, are protected under international law against being penalised for their manner of entry. There is no "queue" for them to jump. 3/
Sadly, however, the government has conflated asylum seekers with migrants who already have a tough enough time as it is getting visas and everything else to live and work in the UK. This makes it easier for the government to portray refugees negatively. 4/
To put it another way. When the government tells people all the hoops which migrants have to jump through to live and work in the UK, you can see why some may think that asylum seekers don't have to go through the same when they are also being told that they are "illegal". 5/
Refugees are however de facto migrants. Anyone who moves from their place of birth to live and work somewhere else is a migrant. We think of migration in terms of crossing international borders, something a refugee has to do, but it just means people move. 6/
We need to counter the, let's be honest, "negative" impression that certain groups have created surrounding it. That is essential. It's just the same as the whole "Good/bad migrant" narrative we have seen between EU and non-EU migrants. 7/
Refugees do have different rights, and are governed by some very specific laws, which makes them as a practical sense different from other migrants though, and with the current narrative that is important to acknowledge. 8/
So what's the answer? Simultaneously promote migrants rights while explaining how refugee rights work and the ways asylum and immigration systems differ, without adding to a negative impression of the term "migrant" and ensuring everyone's rights are defended. 9/
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