Immigrate or Emigrate?

[Tyree]

I'm starting to see emigrate and emigrant more and more as opposed to immigrant and immigrate. When I looked the two up on Dictionary.com, the definitions are nearly identical. So, is there truly a difference or are they interchangeable? Could someone explain the proper use of these terms?

[aravah]

From dictionary.com:

im·mi·grate

–verb (used without object)
1. to come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence.
2. to pass or come into a new habitat or place, as an organism.

em·i·grate

to leave one country or region to settle in another; migrate: to emigrate from Ireland to Australia.

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When you leave your native country you are emigrating, but when you arrive in your new country you are immigrating.

[Tyree]

Wow, it was right in front of my face. I can't believe I didn't notice it.