English

immigration

gb/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/
B1 English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
Noun B1 action
1

Entering a country to live

When people go to another country to live there for a long time or forever.

Usage pattern: [someone]'s immigration to [a country]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'immigration' with 'emigration'. Remember: 'immigration' is coming in, 'emigration' is going out.
Synonyms
migration (General movement of people, animals, or things; not always across international borders or permanent.) | emigration (Refers to leaving one's own country to live elsewhere, rather than entering a new one.)
Antonyms
emigration (Opposite direction—leaving a country instead of entering it.)
Collocations
illegal immigration |mass immigration |immigration policy |immigration law |immigration officer
Themes
law |society |travel |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • Immigration has increased significantly over the past decade.
  • The government introduced new immigration laws last year.
  • Her family’s immigration to Canada happened when she was six years old.
  • Immigration can bring cultural diversity to a society.
  • The minister spoke about controlling illegal immigration.
Learner examples
  • Immigration to the city has grown.
  • My uncle works in the immigration office.
  • Immigration is important for the country.
  • The city has many people because of immigration.
Grammar
Dictionary form
immigration
IPA
GB/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
im - mig - ra - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ra)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: immigration
  • Plural: immigration, immigrations
Word family
Forms
immigrations noun
Core family
immigrate verb B2 immigrant noun B1
Related words
migration noun B2 migrate verb B2 migrant noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
emigration noun emigrate verb B2 emigrant noun
Advanced or less common
migratory adjective immigratory adjective
Expressions

illegal immigration

1
/ɪlˈiɡəl ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase

Entering without legal permission

When people go to live in another country without following the law.

Examples
  • The government is trying to reduce illegal immigration.
  • Illegal immigration is a major political issue.

immigration law

1
/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən lˈɔ/
fixed phrase

Law about entering and staying in a country

The set of rules that say who can come into a country and live there.

Examples
  • Immigration law requires all visitors to have valid documents.
  • He studied immigration law at university.

immigration officer

1
/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase

Official checking border entry

A person who works at a border or airport to check if people can enter the country.

Examples
  • The immigration officer checked my passport.
  • She asked the immigration officer about her visa.

immigration policy

1
/ˌɪmɪɡɹˈeɪʃən pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase

Government rules for immigrants

The plan or rules a government has about people coming to live in the country.

Examples
  • The new immigration policy aims to attract skilled workers.
  • Immigration policy changes have sparked public debate.

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