Words Matter
A plain-language glossary for the words that shape public life.
Political Systems & Ideologies
Government structures and political philosophies that shape how power is distributed, who makes decisions, and how authority is justified. These terms are often used loosely. This section pins down their actual meanings and explains how they function in practice.
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the idea that diverse cultural groups can coexist in a shared society while maintaining their identities. It emphasizes inclusion, representation, and equal participation across cultural differences.
Acculturation
Acculturation is the process of adopting elements of another culture while retaining aspects of one’s original identity. It involves selective adaptation, shaped by daily interactions and institutional expectations, and differs from assimilation because it does not require full cultural replacement.
Assimilation
Assimilation is the process through which newcomers adopt the cultural norms and behaviors of a dominant society, often reducing aspects of their original identity. It is a one-directional process, unlike integration, which allows reciprocal adaptation. Assimilation can be voluntary or shaped by social and institutional pressures.
Sanctuary City
A local jurisdiction that limits its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to encourage community trust and access to local services. Sanctuary policies vary but generally separate local institutions from federal immigration activities.
Gentrification
The process where investment and rising property values transform a neighborhood, often causing displacement of long-term residents. Gentrification involves economic change, demographic shifts, and cultural impacts, with benefits and burdens distributed unevenly.
Equity
Equity means distributing resources and opportunities based on need so people can participate fully and fairly in society. It differs from equality, which treats everyone the same regardless of starting point. Equity focuses on addressing structural barriers that create uneven access or outcomes.
Integration
The long-term process through which newcomers participate in and contribute to the social, economic, and civic life of a community. Integration involves mutual adaptation and is distinct from assimilation.
Repatriation
Repatriation is returning a person to their country of origin. It can be voluntary, involuntary, or part of a humanitarian process. For refugees, voluntary repatriation is only appropriate when conditions allow safe and dignified return.
Voluntary Return
When a migrant or asylum seeker chooses to return to their home country with support from authorities or organizations. It differs from deportation because consent is required, though choices may be shaped by limited options.
Deportation
The legal process in which a government removes a non-citizen for violating immigration laws. Deportation is involuntary, carried out by the state, and follows a formal legal process. It differs from voluntary return and does not imply criminal conviction.
Remigration
Remigration refers to returning to one’s country of origin after living abroad, either voluntarily or involuntarily. It can involve personal choice, government-supported return programs, or removal decisions. In political discourse, the term is sometimes used as a slogan for mass return of certain groups, which differs from its literal meaning.
Resettlement
The process of transferring refugees from a country of first asylum to a third country that offers permanent protection. Resettlement is voluntary and reserved for refugees who cannot remain safely where they are. Only a small share of refugees are ever resettled.
Undocumented
A person living in a country without lawful immigration status. This can result from visa overstay, unauthorized entry, or administrative loss of status. It is a civil legal category and should not be confused with refugee or asylum classifications.
Asylum Seeker
An asylum seeker is someone who has fled their home country and is requesting protection but has not yet been legally recognized as a refugee. Their case is reviewed through a legal process to determine whether they meet refugee criteria. Seeking asylum is a legal right, and asylum seekers cannot be returned to danger while their claims are pending.
Refugee
A refugee is a person who has fled their home country because of persecution, conflict, or violence and cannot safely return. Refugee status is defined under international law and requires a well-founded fear tied to specific protected grounds. Refugees do not migrate by choice; they seek protection because remaining at home poses serious risk. The term often appears in debates about borders, humanitarian responsibility, and asylum systems.
Community Policing
Community policing is a strategy that builds trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities. It focuses on prevention, shared problem-solving, and ongoing engagement rather than reactive enforcement alone. Officers work with residents, organizations, and institutions to understand concerns and address root causes of safety issues. The approach varies widely across jurisdictions and depends on long-term relationship-building, accountability, and public participation.
Solidarity
Solidarity describes the commitment individuals or groups have to supporting one another based on shared interests, goals, or identities. It emphasizes collective responsibility and mutual support, especially in moments of vulnerability or conflict. Solidarity strengthens social cohesion and helps communities address shared challenges.