A migrant is typically a person who moves voluntarily from one place to another without being forced, across borders or within a country, with the intention of establishing a new residence, either temporarily or permanently. Migration may occur for various reasons, including work, education, family reunification, escape from hunger or poverty, economic prospects, better living conditions or for a range of other purposes.
Unlike the term refugee, the term migrant is not defined under international law, and is sometimes used differently by different groups. Conventionally, the word migrant is used to refer to people who move across an international border by choice rather than by force. International law makes a clear distinction between migrants and refugees. Migrants are not covered by the international refugee law, but are protected by international human rights law.
However, the term is increasingly used as an umbrella term to refer to any person who moves away from his or her usual place of residence, regardless of the reasons. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recommends that people who are refugees or likely to be asylum-seekers should be referred to as such, and that the word migrant should not be used as an umbrella term for people crossing borders with the intention of staying in another country.
In general, migrants can return to their home country without risk to life and freedom. Yet, many migrants endure unspeakable hardship and take life-threatening risks to leave their home country and reach a destination country. Some groups of migrants are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.