What is a refugee?

A refugee is specifically defined as someone who has fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Therefore, the description of someone unable to return due to persecution accurately reflects the challenges and circumstances faced by refugees. This status is recognized internationally, and it provides them protection and legal rights while they seek asylum or resettlement.

In contrast, the other options do not align with this definition. Seeking a better job does not represent the dire circumstances that characterize a refugee's situation. A tourist overstaying a visa is typically linked to immigration violations rather than persecution, and a permanent resident of another country is someone who has been granted the right to live there and has not fled due to threats or violence. Thus, the understanding of what constitutes a refugee centers around the element of persecution and the resulting inability to safely return to their homeland.