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

While some of the highest numbers matched the countries with the highest migration numbers into the U.S., such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Honduras, several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia each had hundreds of citizens due for repatriation. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

If the remains are confirmed to be Native Hawaiian, the agency takes custody of them for repatriation. —CBS News, 27 Nov. 2024

These companies benefit from 100% foreign ownership, total repatriation of profits and exemptions from many local taxes and customs duties. —Morten Johansen, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

But Maduro stopped repatriation flights from the U.S. in February when Biden reimposed sanctions. —Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above