Law divides human beings into three categories – plants (incapable of voluntary movement), animals (capable of voluntary
movement but not humans) and persons (human beings). Legal rights - and responsibilities – are afforded only to persons; nonpersons being regarded as property. And though laws regarding prevention of cruelty (to animals) exist in most states, this does bestow any legal rights upon them.
Many times in our past history, negroes, women, foreigners and prisoners have been treated as nonpersons by society… In other words, deciding who is entitled to legal protection (that being a person affords) is a matter of public policy; and society has to decide who all are entitled to legal rights. In legal terms, a person is a person not because he is human – but because rights and duties have been conferred upon him.
Refugees are stateless persons; persons uprooted from their homes, who seek protection from a government other than their own. And in many countries, refugees have the same rights as those held by any foreign national.
In many democracies (such as the United States) aliens are also protected under the constitution. Aliens who visit on business or pleasure - or as students, scholars and specialists – are exempt from immigration laws.
Diplomats, on the other hand, enjoy immunity from prosecution in most courts…