5 Myths About Migrants That Need Busting

Marhabaan, Happy Minds. You know, there are all sorts of legitimate reasons I could use to explain how I found myself waiting in A&E last friday night. Hell, I could just plain lie. You wouldn’t know. Chalk it up to artistic license. But since I have a penchant for honesty that borders on compulsion, I’m going to tell you the truth; I smashed a wine glass while cooking and a few fragments of the glass went into the food, which I didn’t realise until I had already swallowed a particularly crunchy mouthful. We could blame it all on the rather fabulous and silky Malbec with which I lubricated my culinary gears, but whatever the cause, it resulted in a three hour wait to be seen by a Doctor in Royal Sussex county hospital. My immediate neighbours included a gentleman who kept trying to vomit into a bucket and missing, and a lady whose neighbour’s dog had mistaken her forearm for a particularly tender lamb shank. To say the place was heaving was an understatement, and me being me, I spent a lot of my time wondering if I was wasting everybody’s time and I should just go home. “No”, said the triage nurse, “you need to be checked over first. We need to make sure you aren’t bleeding internally.” With that colourful image to keep me occupied, I settled in to wait. 

As the minutes ticked on, the stream of people turned from a steady flow to an absolute torrent. I tried to imagine how I would feel if I was working in that environment, and honestly I don’t think I would be able to cope. Looking around I saw more than a few thousand-yard stares, but overall I saw a talented, hard working team of people – doctors, nurses, receptionists, cleaners, porters – all keeping a lot of plates spinning. And more than a few of them were migrants. It made me feel a conflict of emotions; overwhelming gratitude for them as individuals and for the rich diversity that makes our communities thrive. But also a deep sadness—and anger—when I think about the anti-migrant rhetoric we hear so often.

The Human Side of Migration

When we hear the word “migration,” we might think of birds flying to warmer climates, instinctively seeking better conditions to survive and thrive. It’s not so different for people. Migration is about resilience, hope, and the courage to pursue a better life—whether that’s for safety, opportunity, or the chance to start again. It’s deeply human, and speaks to the ancestral explorers and pioneers that built the foundations of the modern world. 

The Myths Holding Us Back

And yet, myths about migrants persist, overshadowing the individual stories of real people — chefs, musicians, teachers, artists, business owners – and replacing them with a sinister other. So, this International Migrants Day, I want to take a closer look at those myths—and bust them.

Myth 1: Migrants and immigrants are the same thing.

Reality: They’re not.

• Migrants are people who move to another country, whether it’s for a few months or a lifetime—maybe for work, study, or to be closer to family.
• Immigrants are those who’ve moved with the intention of staying permanently.

Understanding this difference is important—it’s about seeing the many reasons people move and the value they bring, no matter how long they’re here.

Myth 2: Migrants take jobs from locals.

Reality: Migrants often fill essential roles that would otherwise go unfilled, keeping key sectors like healthcare and construction running.

Take the NHS (National Health Service), for example—around one in four nurses has been recruited from abroad. Without them, staffing shortages would put even more strain on an already stretched system. Or look at construction: the UK faces a huge skills gap, and experts say we need more migrants to meet housing targets and keep building projects on track.

Migrants aren’t “taking jobs”; they’re stepping up to fill the gaps and support the economy when we need it most.

Myth 3: Migration is always a choice.

Reality: For many, migration isn’t a choice—it’s about survival.

Sadly, countless people are forced to leave their homes because of circumstances beyond their control. Refugees fleeing war, violence, or political persecution often have no option but to seek safety in another country. For these families, migration is about finding a chance at peace and security in the face of unimaginable hardships.

It’s not just conflict that drives people to migrate. Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods can destroy entire towns and lives, leaving people with no choice but to start over elsewhere. Climate change is also increasingly forcing people to leave their homes as rising sea levels and extreme weather make their communities uninhabitable.

Myth 4: Migrants don’t integrate into society.

Reality: Migrants are already part of our communities in ways you probably see every day—but don’t always think about.

It’s the café owner who greets you with a smile and knows your go-to order. It’s the teacher helping kids discover their potential. It’s the neighbour who joined your street’s WhatsApp group to keep everyone connected. Migrants aren’t just “integrating”; they’re contributing, often in ways that make our lives better without us even realising.

Integration isn’t about leaving their identity behind—it’s about becoming part of the mix while bringing something unique to it. Once you look around, it’s clear: migrants are already part of the community, helping it thrive.

Myth 5: Migrants drain public resources.

Reality: Far from being a burden, migrants are a key part of keeping our public services running.

Let’s go back to the NHS as an example. Without the thousands of migrant doctors, nurses, and care workers, the system would be on its knees. Migrants don’t just work in healthcare—they contribute by paying taxes, helping to fund the very public services we all rely on.

And it’s not just urban areas. In rural communities, migrants often keep schools open, run local shops, and revitalise struggling economies. They’re not “draining resources”; they’re filling the gaps and strengthening the foundations of our society.

The data backs this up: migrants contribute more in taxes than they take in public benefits. The truth is, our public systems wouldn’t work without them. Next time you use a service like the NHS, it’s worth remembering who helps make it possible.

Let’s Celebrate Migrants

This year’s International Migrants Day theme, “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting their Rights” ,feels so fitting. Migrants bring creativity, courage, and resilience to our communities every single day.

So, next time you’re sipping coffee at your favourite café, pausing to appreciate a street musician, or waiting in A&E on a Friday night with an embarrassing problem, take a moment to think about the journey that has brought these brave individuals to your little part of the world. Remember that you share a common, humble goal; to find peace, happiness, safety and prosperity and a place to call home.

If you want to discover more opportunities to celebrate our rich and diverse world, check out our Inclusion Calendar—a free resource packed with ideas to keep the conversation going all year round.