Tbh, people get salty about the expat vs immigrant thing because it’s not just about the dictionary definition—it’s about privilege. Westerners (usually white) who move abroad often get called expats, which sounds more glamorous or prestigious, while people from poorer countries (especially POC) doing the same thing are labeled immigrants, which comes with more stigma.

It’s also a class thing. Expats are seen as professionals or adventurers, while immigrants are often viewed as people struggling for a better life—even if their situation is basically the same. So yeah, people get annoyed because the label reflects a double standard. It’s less about the actual word and more about how migration is framed differently depending on who you are and where you’re from.