Who do you exactly mean by 'Immigrants'?

Question

Is that people from countries outside EU?
Is that people from Eastern Europe even if their countries are members of EU?
Is that people from ex-UK and European colonies?
Or is that everyone who is not from UK?
So many people in UK seem to complain about 'immigrants' receiving benefit or taking up jobs, but I think even if all of the 'immigrants' are kicked out from UK, there will be still so many UK citizens who would not work and receive benefits and complain about their lives not being easy. Benefits whoever receives will not be any bigger, as that will be unfair to those who work.
But anyway, currently, when you talk about ‘immigrants’ who do you mean exactly?

Hmm...It looks like my question's ended up showing on US site. But it doesn't matter. It could be more interesting to know about what people say in different countries. Answers from any countries are welcome.

Answer 1

You are right about if all the immigrants were kicked out, that the british people would still sit on their lazy ar*es claiming benefits.
Thats why a lot of the unskilled polish and bulgarian workers are coming over here, to fill the jobs that brits wont do.
Dont believe anyone who says "i cant get a job" there is obviously work out there if they are having to bring in immigrants to do it.
When I talk about immigrants I mean anyone who has emigrated to this country. They dont bother me as long as they are willing to work.

Plus, if you are working here on a visa, you automatically pay 25% tax pon your earnings so I dont think we can say thatr immigrants are ripping the country off and giving nothing back!

Answer 2

An immigrant is a non-native person who moves to and resides in a country other than their country of origin. In the case of your question that would mean anyone who was born and normally lives in any country other than those that make up the United Kingdom - this would include French, German etc.
The reason why people complain is because it is the taxpayers of this country who are effectively paying their benefit to them - it's bad enough paying it to our citizens without paying it to every "immigrant" - legal or otherwise that steps foot upon these shores. The other complaint that others have is "Medical Immigrants" - people who come here from abroad to make use of our NHS not having ever contributed towards the cost of it. As for taking up jobs - one of the problems of the large migration of various nationalities into this country has been the negative impact on wages. The vast majority of people who are nationals of this country do have large expenses related to property etc therefore they have a need for a certain level of remuneration. With the influx of foreign nationals they do not have the same pressures upon them and are therefore able to take a lower level of remuneration which impacts upon the job market. Employers will, and do get rid of the local labour force and replace them with cheaper foreign labour.
Hope this goes some way to answering your question.

Answer 3

Personally, I don't use the word 'immigrants' except in a context like this. It's just too loaded with bigotry now.

What many fail to realise is that those who are coming to the UK from elsewhere tend to be the cream of the crop, the healthiest and most skilled. Like the people from Poland -- most of them are young, healthy, without kids. They're here for a few years, paying taxes all the while. Then most will return to Poland. We get a lot out of them, but need give little back.

Why are we complaining? It's the Polish government that's getting the short end of the stick, benefits-wise. How are they going to support OAP pensions when the young half of their work force is paying taxes elsewhere?

Answer 4

I mean any incoming person from anywhere who goes anywhere expecting a better life than what they had from where they come from. If benefits were stopped for everyone in the UK and everyone had to work or starve would people come here ?? I think not. UK citizens should aim for a more productive work force, have more industries so that there are more jobs, presently we import so much that all that happens is we support poorer countries and don't give a s--t about our own . I am no expert and have retired from the Civil Service recently, still looks bleak to me.

Answer 5

I'm not in the UK but to me an immigrant is anyone that migrates to your country from another country. In many cases they are coming in the hopes of changing their current life to make it better.

The ones I concern myself with are those who come illegally and some how find a way to get into the system. They will instead take funds and help slated for those who are citizens or in the country legally.

Answer 6

So what most of you are saying. If you were on holiday and your child was born in another country the would be an immigrant.
If a soldier is stationed in another country and marries and has children from a local woman.(my case) Should the child come back to be treated like an immigrant,as I do.
Remember the British army had bases throughout the world years ago. They also have embassy staff everywhere.
The commonwealth countries are full of such people.

Answer 7

An immigrant is someone who intends to reside permanently, and not a casual visitor or traveler. Immigration means "in-migration" into a country, and is the reverse of emigration, or "out-migration." The long term and/or permanent movement of human population in general, whether into, out of, or within countries (or before the existence of recognised countries) is regarded as migration.

Answer 8

I think you make a good point here. It seems to me that white immigrants from the US, Australia or western Europe would be welcomed but those that come from Africa, Eastern Europe or Asia are not welcomed. Immigration has become simply another matter of racism IMHO.

Answer 9

If you are not a racist, facist or bigot, an Immigrant is any person that sets up an established home in any country other than their country of birth. This is true of any creed, colour or Nationality at birth.

Answer 10

When I say "immigrants," I mean people not born in the USA nor naturalized as citizens of the United States.