foreign immigrants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign immigrants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who have moved from one country to another, emphasizing their status as immigrants from a different nation. Example: "The city has seen a significant increase in foreign immigrants seeking better job opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Similarly, Ottaviano and Peri (2012) argue that imperfect substitution between US natives and foreign immigrants, which concentrates the wage impacts of immigration on immigrants themselves, can explain why structural national labor market studies that assume perfect substitution find larger wage impacts for natives.

IZA Journal of Migration

But in recent years California's growth has been driven by foreign immigrants and native-born residents.

The New York Times

The period of peace that followed, as well as an influx of foreign immigrants, stimulated economic development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then there's the international cuisine, sometimes a fusion, and sometimes the legacy of foreign immigrants holding onto their old cuisine.

The Guardian - Travel

"Food, equality for children, homes, proper facilities for foreign immigrants, that sort of thing," said a spokesperson for the organisation.

The Guardian

The notion that foreign immigrants are primarily responsible for out-of-control sprawl in American cities is absurd.

The New York Times

With the birthrate sliding fast, the government is relying on foreign immigrants to keep the country's population from declining.

The New York Times

In the mid-1980s the welfare rolls swelled largely because of foreign immigrants, many of whom had entered the country illegally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though there are fewer of them, the fast-growers have added 1.9m foreign immigrants since 1995 compared with 1.1m for slow-growing states.

The Economist

California is not the magnet for foreign immigrants it once was; educating and integrating their children is now the main task.

The Economist

Indeed, it's probably fair to say that Indian tolerance is most evident toward -- if not quite limited to -- foreign immigrants and tourists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foreign immigrants", consider the context to avoid potential negative connotations. Opt for neutral terms like "international migrants" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "foreign immigrants" as a monolithic group. Recognize the diversity within this population, considering factors such as country of origin, skill level, and reasons for migration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign immigrants" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples showcase its use in discussing immigration trends, economic impacts, and social issues related to individuals moving from other countries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foreign immigrants" is a common and generally correct term for individuals who have moved from one country to another. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of potential negative connotations and consider using alternatives like "international migrants" in certain contexts. The related phrases offer different nuances, and understanding potential errors, such as overgeneralization, helps refine writing. High-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

international migrants

Replaces "foreign" with "international", focusing on the movement across international borders; a more neutral term.

immigrants from abroad

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the origin of the immigrants being from another country.

newcomers from overseas

Uses "newcomers" to highlight the recent arrival and "overseas" to specify the origin, adding a temporal and geographical dimension.

immigrant residents

Combines immigration status with residency, focusing on their settled status in a new country.

non-native immigrants

Highlights their origin from outside, emphasizing the contrast with the native population.

immigrants from other countries

Emphasizes the diversity of countries of origin of the immigrants.

migrant workers

Highlights their status as workers coming from different countries.

expatriate population

Refers to people residing in a foreign country, often temporarily or for work, typically used for skilled professionals.

migrant community

Focuses on immigrants as a cohesive group with shared experiences and origins.

transnational residents

Highlights the movement across national boundaries and their status as residents.

FAQs

How can I use "foreign immigrants" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign immigrants" to describe people who have moved from one country to another to live and work. For example, "The city's economy benefits from the contributions of "foreign immigrants"."

What's a more neutral alternative to "foreign immigrants"?

A more neutral alternative is "international migrants", which avoids potential negative connotations associated with the term "foreign."

What is the difference between "foreign immigrants" and "migrant workers"?

"Migrant workers" specifically refers to immigrants who move for employment opportunities, while "foreign immigrants" is a broader term that encompasses all immigrants regardless of their reason for migrating.

Is it correct to use "illegal immigrants" instead of "foreign immigrants"?

No, "illegal immigrants" refers to people who have entered or stayed in a country without the legal authorization to do so. "Foreign immigrants" simply describes immigrants who are not citizens of the country they reside in, regardless of their legal status.