Russian fighter in before English expatriate (7)

I believe the answer is:

emigree

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'expatriate' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'russian fighter in before english' is the wordplay.
'russian fighter' becomes 'MiG' (Russian fighter plane manufacturer).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'before' becomes 'ere' (poetic term for 'before').
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'mig' placed into 'ere' is 'emigre'.
'emigre'+'e'='EMIGREE'

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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