What term is used to describe the illegal smuggling of people across borders?

The term that describes the illegal smuggling of people across borders is human trafficking. This practice involves the movement of individuals, often under conditions of coercion, deceit, or exploitation, and typically in violation of laws governing border control and immigration. Human trafficking can encompass a variety of abuses, including forced labor and sexual exploitation, wherein traffickers seek to profit from vulnerable populations often fleeing conflict, poverty, or persecution.

Economic migration refers to individuals moving primarily for employment opportunities and is usually legal, thus differing significantly from human trafficking. Seasonal labor involves temporary work, often within a particular sector such as agriculture, where workers may cross borders legally for short periods. Diaspora movement describes the dispersal of a group from their homeland, typically due to voluntary circumstances, such as seeking better living conditions or educational opportunities, rather than illegal cross-border activity.

In sum, human trafficking specifically pertains to the illicit and often harmful movement of people and is distinct from the other terms that describe legal or voluntary migration experiences.