Immigrants are not forced to leave. They choose to though they may do so to escape poverty, etc. But they put money, time, and other resources into applying for a visa to move to a new country with the intention of staying there long term (not a vacation). Refugees are forced to leave their homes due to war, political situations, etc and are granted asylum in a new country. Their visa is approved way faster than for an immigrant because of the seriousness of the situation. They often wish they didn't have to leave their home but have no choice. My husband was a refugee from the Kosovo War. I am now an immigrant as we have both moved back to Kosovo to his hometown. Ex-pat is a colonialist term Westerners use when staying in other countries other than their own and have little intent on actually becoming part of the society or adding to it. Your article certainly proves my definition.