[jdavis703]

Why are economic migrants considered a lower class than war refuges? Aren't both man-made disasters?

EDIT: This is a genuine question. I might not agree with the answers, but I want to know what makes people make this distinction.

[detaro]

Refugees (in the sense of what asylum laws see as those deserving help) get special treatment because they flee from a high risk of dying, being unfairly persecuted etc: concrete risks to their basic well-being.

The term Economic migrants is used for those that are not in immediate danger, just in search of a better living situation. If the economic situation in your country is so bad there is widespread starvation you'd qualify as a refugee, if I as a european move to the US because tech jobs there pay better I'd still be an economic migrant.

Asylum is an exception to other immigration rules for those that really need it. If you are not in danger, you should follow the normal rules.

[kbart]

Because immigrants are not refugees. If you want to get a job in a country with better jobs, there are legal means (visas, permissions) to do that and one should use it. Crossing country border illegally is akin to breaking into somebody's house -- just because that person might be richer isn't an excuse. Genuine refugees don't have legal ways to achieve safety in their country, so they are forced to flee.

[grp]

I think it depends on the source of pressure.

The Capital for economic migrants and the State for war refugees.