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International Journal of
Population Studies Conceptual challenges in migration

This perspective article draws on existing literature that context-specific (Tsegay, 2023). Common categorizations
critically examines migration categories, as well as my own of migration experiences often oversimplify, assuming that
previous and ongoing research in the field. My research individuals fit into single, mutually exclusive categories
has explored the lived experiences of individuals who (Devanney et al., 2021). However, boundaries between
migrated from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) these categories are not as distinct as they may appear
to the United States (US), revealing the challenges inherent (Crawley & Skleparis, 2018). Individuals’ self-conceptions
in migration categories. For example, in a previous study of their migration status may evolve with changing material
of Iraqis who left their country after 2003, I discovered conditions (Tsegay, 2023). These self-perceptions may not
that answering the seemingly simple question, “Who is a align with how states and institutions categorize migrants.
refugee?” is not at all straightforward, given the multiple Moreover, migration concepts are not static; their meanings
paths individuals take to seek refuge. There are at least three are frequently (re) negotiated and (re) defined across
different programs through which the US government different geographic and political contexts (Crawley &
grants (or denies) legal statuses to displaced individuals: Skleparis, 2018).
the United States Refugee Admissions Program, asylum, To further complicate matters, categories such as
and the Special Immigrant Visa Program (Keyel, 2023). asylum-seeker and refugee are not only descriptive of
In an ongoing research project, I have interviewed 14 particular experiences of displacement but also serve as legal
individuals from the MENA region who migrated to the terms with specific meanings and implications for the rights
US. One participant, who identified as Palestinian from and protections available to certain individuals (Bakewell,
Gaza, was born as a temporary resident in Saudi Arabia 2008). There are ongoing contestations over how these
because her father was a guest worker. She later returned categories should be defined and who is entitled to claim
to Gaza as a Palestinian refugee, moved to the US as an them (Lister, 2013). Recent displacement crises have called
international student, and most recently traveled to Canada into question the adequacy of existing legal definitions,
to claim asylum. This participant’s experience, along with which were initially developed under significantly different
those of many others I have interviewed, demonstrate the political and environmental conditions (Moszynski, 2011).
complicated journeys – literally and figuratively – that Furthermore, categorization is not a neutral process; it is
unfold across different temporal and geographic locations a political act and one laden with power relations. When
and span multiple migration categories. a state agent, an international or intergovernmental

Considering this, I argue that reconceptualizing organization, or a non-governmental organization (NGO)
migration categories as interconnected positions within a defines someone as a refugee (or denies such status), it has
multidimensional migration space-time can allow scholars significant consequences for their immediate safety, future
to better examine the complexities of movement. Moreover, security, and opportunities.
the intricacies of migration necessitate the construction In short, the foundational categories in migration
and reconstruction of adaptable concepts to understand studies remain contested (Tsegay, 2023). Given this,
experiences that are temporally, geographically, culturally, moving forward through the chaos requires embracing
and politically contextual. Therefore, researchers in the complexity and uncertainty.
field must carefully design research projects that can
capture the nuances, tensions, and contradictions in 3. Toward a multidimensional migration
migration, even when these nuances do not align with space-time
narrow, instrumentalized definitions used in legal regimes
and public policy. Finally, I argue that while more flexible In light of the challenges inherent in defining migration
concepts offer opportunities, there are also significant risks categories, it is useful to understand such classifications as
to consider. positions, unstable and changing, that anyone can occupy
to varied degrees (Nail, 2015). These positions carry
2. Definitional challenges particular assumptions about how those occupying them

Scholars and practitioners have long identified the difficulties are expected to behave (Malkki, 1996). Through processes
in defining and operationalizing important migration of movement, displacement, and expulsion, individuals
categories such as migrant, immigrant, asylum-seeker, and who were previously settled may come to occupy one or
refugee (Anderson & Blinder, 2019; Crawley & Skleparis, more interconnected migration position (Tsegay, 2023).
2018; Devanney et al., 2021; Gorodzeisky & Leykin, Migration often entails navigating overlapping and/or
2020; Lister, 2013; Tsegay, 2023). Despite extensive study, contradictory social positions and legal statuses. Migratory
significant debate remains regarding how to conceptualize journeys may involve multiple stages of varied duration –
migration processes, which are both multifaceted and ranging from a few days to several years or even multiple

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 41 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.3004