Legal Definitions - exile

The term exile refers to the forced removal or banishment of an individual from their home country or country of long-term residence. It can also describe the state of being expelled, or refer to the person who has been banished. This removal is typically compelled by a government or ruling authority, often as a form of punishment, political suppression, or to prevent perceived threats to national security or stability.

• Example 1: Political Dissident
  A prominent journalist in an authoritarian country publishes a series of articles exposing widespread government corruption. In retaliation, the government revokes her citizenship, declares her an enemy of the state, and forces her to leave the country within 24 hours, with a permanent ban on her return.

  This scenario illustrates exile because the journalist is *compelled* by the state to depart her native country and is *banished* from ever returning, directly fitting the definition of forced removal and banishment.

• Example 2: Post-Revolutionary Leader
  Following a successful popular revolution that overthrows a long-standing military junta, the new interim government issues an order for the former dictator and his closest advisors to immediately leave the country and never return, as a measure to prevent further unrest and consolidate power.

  Here, the former dictator and his advisors are *forced* by the new ruling authority to depart their homeland and are *permanently barred* from re-entry. This demonstrates their expulsion and banishment, which is the core meaning of exile.