Parallels between biological invasions and human migration are flawed and undermine both disciplines. Response to Ahmed et al.

A recent article by Ahmed and colleagues (2025) attempt to draw parallels and assess distinctions between biological invasions and human migration. This comparison conflates two globally occurring phenomena in a scientifically flawed way and risks the misappropriation of scientific concepts for ideological and political agendas. The repeated use of similarity and parallels throughout the text, including in the title, could easily lead to misconceptions among broader audiences, such as educators and policymakers, who can help shape public discourse. Despite their acknowledgement that comparing introductions of nonnative species with human migration “may be inappropriate and cause confusion,” Ahmed and colleagues argue that it reveals “complex parallels that are potentially fruitful to explore.” However, they fail to make their case.