deportationrepatriation

Deportation and repatriation are terms used in migration policy to describe border movements governed by states. Deportation refers to the removal of a non-citizen from a country, usually after an assessment that the person violated immigration rules, committed a crime, or is deemed undesirable. The individual is sent back to their country of origin or to another designated country, often following administrative or criminal proceedings and sometimes after detention.

Repatriation denotes the return of a person to their country of nationality or origin and can be voluntary or, in some cases, compelled. It is frequently discussed in connection with refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons, and may involve international coordination, travel arrangements, and reintegration support in the home country.

Legal frameworks distinguish the two concepts. Deportation is primarily a prerogative of the host state and is governed by domestic immigration law, with applicable human rights safeguards. Repatriation may be guided by international protections, bilateral agreements, and, for refugees, the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they face serious harm.

International organizations, notably the International Organization for Migration and, for refugees, the UN Refugee Agency, facilitate voluntary return programs and monitor safety, dignity, and reintegration during transit and after arrival. The term deportationrepatriation is not standard in legal literature and is typically treated as two related but distinct processes rather than a single procedure.