repatriation

noun

re·​pa·​tri·​a·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən 

-ˌpa-

plural repatriations

: the act or process of restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship : the act of repatriating or the state of being repatriated

While officials privately acknowledge there is scant legal basis for repatriation, their public statements suggest that they would use lawsuits, diplomatic pressure and shame to bring home looted objects—not unlike Italy, Greece and Egypt, which have sought, with some success, to recover antiquities in European and American museums.

—Andrew Jacobs

They say they have that right under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which requires that human remains and artifacts be returned to Indian tribes that can show a cultural link.

—Timothy Egan

This left him an illegal immigrant in Hong Kong, subject to arrest and repatriation at any time.

—Nicholas D. Kristof

Examples of repatriation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, as repatriation has become a topic of more widespread concern, the British Museum has faced louder calls to return pieces like the Parthenon Marbles and the Benin Bronzes. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 July 2024

Companies had a chance to cut their debt after then-President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax overhaul slashed corporate rates and allowed repatriation of profits overseas. —Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024

In the last three weeks, the Border Patrol has made more than 100 international repatriation flights to more than 20 countries and removed more than 24,000 people, Mayorkas said. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 26 June 2024

Since the executive action was implemented, DHS has removed and returned more than 24,000 individuals to more than 20 countries, including by operating more than 100 international repatriation flights. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 26 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above