Immigration / Racism Unit Vocabulary

assimilation: the process of giving up one’s own cultural identity to fit into a new culture

asylum: protection granted by one nation to a refugee from another nation, usually due to political unrest in the
refugee’s home country; also means to grant a safe haven for a person fleeing persecution

deportation: to force a foreign national (citizen of another country) to leave a country

diversity: difference; variety; socioeconomic and gender variety in a group, society or institution

economic migrants: people who move from one country to another in order to earn more money

emigration: the act of leaving a country to settle elsewhere

immigration: the act of entering a country to live there permanently (immigrant: a person who leaves
their homeland to settle somewhere else)

institutional racism is a pattern of social institutions — such as governmental organizations, schools, banks, and courts
of law — giving negative treatment to a group of people based on their race.

melting pot: a term used to describe countries where immigrants and refugees are expected to quickly adopt the
cultural beliefs and dress of the country where they have settled

migrant: a person who moves from one place to another in order to find work or better living conditions

multiculturalism: the co-existence of diverse cultures; a government policy in Canada whereby people are encouraged
to keep their own cultural traditions and beliefs including style of dress, religion, and lifestyle (so long as those beliefs do
not go against Canadian held laws or beliefs)

pluralism: the existence of groups within society with different ethnic, religious or political backgrounds

persecution: the subjecting of a certain group of people to cruel or unfair treatment based on their ethnic origin,
lifestyle, or religious beliefs

quota system: a governmental regulation which allows a set number of immigrants per year from different places

racism: the belief that a particular race or cultural group is superior over another; believing that a person’s social and
moral traits are determined by their ethnic background

refugee: a person who flees from a place to escape danger or persecution

visa: a legal permit to enter a country