News

Migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants: What’s the difference?

Published

4 years ago

September 23, 2020

IN THE WEEK that the First Minister said that a military camp is not the correct place to house people who have escaped military conflict from other parts of the world, we cut through the jargon to explain the difference between asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants.

Following the decision to use Penally Camp near Tenby as a centre for up to 250 male asylum seekers there has been, amongst some of the protestors and commentators, some considerable confusion.

Every day, people around the world make the difficult decision to leave their countries in search of safety and better lives. Currently, there are 68.5 million men, women and children escaping war, persecution and political turbulence. These are refugees and asylum seekers.
There are others who are looking for jobs or an education—they are usually called migrants—and people who want to live permanently in another country—immigrants.

There’s been confusion and debate over the use of these terms to describe the plight of those on the move. Here’s a closer look at the distinct differences between a refugee, asylum seeker, immigrant, and migrant.

Who is a refugee?

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her home because of war, violence or persecution, often without warning. They are unable to return home unless and until conditions in their native lands are safe for them again.

An official entity such as a government or the United Nations Refugee Agency determines whether a person seeking international protection meets the definition of a refugee, based on well-founded fear.

Those who obtain refugee status are given protections under international laws and conventions and lifesaving support from aid agencies, including the International Rescue Committee

Who is an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is someone who is also seeking international protection from dangers in his or her home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn’t been determined legally. Asylum seekers must apply for protection in the country of destination—meaning they must arrive at or cross a border in order to apply.

Then, they must be able to prove to authorities there that they meet the criteria to be covered by refugee protections. Not every asylum seeker will be recognised as a refugee.

Tens of thousands of children have fled extreme danger—war, murder, kidnapping, violence against women and forced recruitment by gangs.

UK law says that to stay in the UK as a refugee you must be unable to live safely in any part of your own country because you fear persecution there. If you’re stateless, your own country is the country you usually live in.

Who is an immigrant?

An immigrant is someone who makes a conscious decision to leave his or her home and move to a foreign country with the intention of settling there. Immigrants often go through a lengthy vetting process to immigrate to a new country. Many become lawful permanent residents and eventually citizens.

Immigrants research their destinations, explore employment opportunities, and study the language of the country where they plan to live. Most importantly, they are free to return home whenever they choose.

Who is a migrant?

A migrant is someone who is moving from place to place (within his or her country or across borders), usually for economic reasons such as seasonal work. Similar to immigrants, they were not forced to leave their native countries because of persecution or violence, but rather are seeking better opportunities.

What is an illegal immigrant?

Any person entering this country without correct documents is an illegal immigrant until they make a formal application for the right to remain as an asylum seeker…and they keep that status until the application has been concluded. The asylum seeker could become an illegal immigrant again if the application fails

Can illegal documents be used to enter the UK?

No, and persons doing so will be prosecuted unless they can show that they had no choice to use them to flee from danger.

What happens next?

Penally Camp will eventually house 250 male asylum seekers, these are men who have no choice but to flee from places like Iraq where they and their families face violence, threats and death for things like their religious beliefs and/or culture, some will also be coming from Iran where they face an uncertain future because of an extremely hardline government system which shows little, if any, mercy for those who do not conform to their strict religious laws. It is also highly likely, The Herald understands, that some of the asylum seekers have previously worked with, or are connected to those who have worked with, the UK and her allies during the War on Terror.

The 250 asylum seekers at Penally Camp will remain there until they get processed by The Home Office, at that point they will either become refugees and be allowed to remain for a period of time or they will be removed from the UK and returned to either their homeland or to the first place they entered into the EU under the Dublin Agreement (please note that this agreement expires on December 31 when the UK’s transition period ends and the UK leaves the EU).

The Herald has worked with www.rescue.org, an independent non governmental organisation to collate this information.

Community

Fire crews join St Davids Cathedral on collaborative training day

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service joined staff at St Davids Cathedral on Thursday for a collaborative training day, blending skills and expertise in a unique historic setting.

The fire service conducted a series of exercises, including a dramatic rescue simulation, where they practiced retrieving a ‘body’ from the cathedral tower. The exercise demonstrated the precision and teamwork required for emergency scenarios, particularly in complex environments like heritage buildings.

Such training is essential due to the unique challenges posed by historic landmarks. St Davids Cathedral, with its ancient architecture and narrow stairways, presents potential obstacles in emergency situations. Fire crews must be prepared to navigate these complexities to ensure the safety of visitors, staff, and the preservation of the structure itself.

Additionally, the presence of large numbers of visitors during peak periods increases the need for effective response strategies. Collaboration between the cathedral’s staff and emergency services ensures everyone is prepared to act swiftly and efficiently in the event of a fire or medical emergency.

A spokesperson for St Davids Cathedral said: “It was great to have the fire crews join us – their training exercises added an exciting and valuable dimension to our day. Their work highlights the importance of being prepared for any eventuality.”

The fire service also benefited from the day, as training in real-world settings like St Davids Cathedral helps refine their approach to tackling emergencies in historic and culturally significant buildings.

Photo caption: Rescue simulation: Fire crews conducted a ‘body’ rescue from the tower during a joint training day (Pic: St Davids Cathedral).

Business

Residents meet with local politicians over A477 road safety concerns

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the Eglwyscummin Community Council and residents of the village of Red Roses today (Friday 17^th January) called a road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP to highlight what they consider to be an ‘unsafe’ junction.

Growing concerns about the safety of the Red Roses junction brought about by the increase in near misses and accidents from users of the junction was evidenced during the meeting. The community hope that continued pressured on Welsh Government will deliver the additional safety modifications needed to reduce the number of incidents happening at the junction.

The local Member of Senedd for Carmerthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, has been leading the campaign with the Community Council and has been liaising with SWTRA and Welsh Government Ministers to call for action on this junction.

He has already delivered a successful campaign to change the road layout of the notorious A477 Nash Fingerpost junction following several serious accidents, which is already being of real benefit to the local community. He hopes to build on this success by continuing to fight for further improvements in Red Roses and address the speeding issues being experienced on the A477 through the village of Milton.

Following the community meeting, Samuel Kurtz MS commented: “The Community Council have been extremely active in sharing the experiences that drivers are having at this junction and have put forward some recommendations that they believe will make it safer. Sadly, it’s a typical case of the junction meeting all the criteria on paper, but in practice, it’s dangerous and needs addressing.”

“ In this case, traffic travelling Westward towards Pembroke at speed have no turn off lane before having to slow down to virtually a standstill to make the narrow sharp lefthand turn off the A477 to Red Roses. On this fast busy road, it has been the root cause of the sign being crashed into on several occasions as drivers have failed to make the turn. There are crashes or near misses, as cars break sharply to try to make the turn as safely as possible.”

He added: “I believe that there are some relatively straight forward steps that can be taken which will deliver improvement and I’ve been asking Welsh Government for a review of the A477 and will invite road officials to see for themselves the junction in use. But I do need feedback from the local community to help make the case to Welsh Government. I’m asking people to get in touch with me via my Facebook page or email to share their experience, opinion, or example of any issues they may have had or witnessed using this stretch of road.”

Pictured above: Members of the Eglwyscummin Community Council at the road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP discussing safety concerns at the Red Roses junction.

Business

Haverfordwest Farmers Market: Local producers and fresh produce

Published

3 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AS County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor expressed his delight after visiting the Haverfordwest Farmers Market. Held in Castle Square, the market showcases a variety of high-quality local produce, offering a vibrant community shopping experience.

Fresh produce every Friday

The Haverfordwest Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s bustling county town. Visitors can explore a wide range of stalls offering fresh produce, meats, crafts, and organic goods directly from local farmers, growers, and artisans.

Market Manager Joanne Welch explained: “Customers enjoy a memorable shopping experience in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere, have confidence in the producers, their products, and can always rely on the high-quality produce available at every market.”

Why shop local?

The market serves as a hub for supporting local businesses and reducing food miles. “Buying local makes sense,” Joanne continued. “Not only does it benefit the local economy, but it guarantees the freshest produce that is great value for money—and tastes fantastic too!”

What you need to know

Purpose: Farmers markets provide a unique opportunity to connect with local producers while enjoying fresh, quality food. Supporting these markets ensures a sustainable future for local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of long food supply chains.
Hygiene standards: Stallholders adhere to the same strict hygiene regulations as other food retailers, ensuring safety and quality for customers.
Cost: While prices may not always be cheaper, the quality and freshness of the products offer excellent value for money.

For those looking to enjoy a unique shopping experience, Castle Square in Haverfordwest is the place to be every Friday. Explore the best of Pembrokeshire’s local produce and craft while supporting your community.