Who Is a Refugee?

Abstract

“Refugee” is a term that is used in many different and sometimes inconsistent ways. This chapter provides an overview of the complexities involved in defining who a refugee is. It argues that because there is no universally agreed-on definition of a refugee, one that is consistent with international law, our moral intuitions, and on-the-ground practice, we cannot be confident that we are categorizing the right people as refugees and others as not deserving of any help. The line between refugees and other kinds of forced migrants is blurry at best, and a rigid distinction is perhaps impossible. The seemingly arbitrary way that refugee status is given is a feature of the global refugee regime that contributes to the second crisis and the inability of refugees to find refuge.