In my complicated OCD-addled brain, it's class-based, though obviously race comes into play quite substantially too. Expats, to me, are people who have the resources and enfranchisement to actively choose to live/study/work outside of their country. There is no other reason but personal choice for them to live in Foreign Country. Also, in my head, it has something to do with whether one is resettled permanently (immigrant) or planning to go back at some point (expat), regardless of class/race/funds. In that case, I'm more immigrant than expat, though I also am predominantly here for personal choice reasons, which makes me more rhi!definition expat.

VENTING COMM sounds like it could be in the works.