The Integrative versus Dis-integrative Effects of Asylum Seeker Migration / Book Review: Peo Hansen, A Modern Migration Theory (original) (raw)

2021, Discover Society

Europe desperately needs new migration policies—and thinking. In the 1990s and early 2000s, mainstream policy makers and researchers alike were holding out for “managed migration” in the continent: a potential “win-win-win” scenario that might see demographic benefits of new migration within and to Europe, integration of new migrant groups, and positive development effects via remittances and global networks on sending countries. But, as captured by Hein de Haas’s pendulum mood swing in migration research (2012), the economic and political crises of recent years have seen thinking return to defensive concerns of border security and limiting numbers among the policy minded; and, among autonomous researchers, to an implacably critical stance on the ongoing devastation wrought by a colonial, racist West. In his ambitious new book, A Modern Migration Theory: An Alternative Economic Approach to Failed EU Policy (2021), Peo Hansen offers a scathing assessment of how Europe’s politicians, policy makers, and applied researchers have come to a consensus on the alleged trade offs: between “protecting” European welfare states and stabilising “native” political hostility to immigration, versus the rights or mobility that may be offered to migrant populations.

One-day Symposium -The Zero-Sum Game of Migration in Europe: 20 years after Tampere

Call for Paper, 2019

Since Tampere, EU cooperation has developed towards a more vigorous integration policy based on the principle of equality with the aim to grant TCNs rights and obligations comparable to those of EU citizens and enhance non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural lives by developing measures against racism and xenophobia. Yet, freedom of movement in the EU and the recent high in-flows of refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants have seen rising anti-immigration laws, politics and attitudes. While the turn towards ‘Fortress Europe’ has been countered by movements and actions of solidarity by citizens, civil society organizations, businesses and cities throughout Europe, calls for positive narratives of immigration, refugees and integration have also increased at the level of governance. Twenty years since Tampere, how far have we come? These developments call for reflections on where we are with regard to integration and equality laws, policies and practices adopted by EU Member States (MSs) and their impact on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants and refugees in Europe. Furthermore, as the governance of immigration shifts towards a ‘shared-responsibility’ paradigm, particularly in relation to the integration of refugees and asylum seekers, political, economic and societal actors have become increasingly involved in the processes through which migrants become part of the society in which they live and work. This redeployment or diffusion of state power and will through multi-level governance processes calls for an examination of the role, responsibility and actions of local authorities (e.g. municipalities, cities) and non- state actors (e.g. private sector and third sector organisations) in shaping, implementing and enabling integration processes and equal treatment of migrants into various domains of host societies. Symposium Target This symposium aims to reflect on the roles, responsibilities and practices of the EU Member States, local authorities (e.g. municipalities, cities) and non-state actors e.g. the private sector, civil society organisations, and other cultural and religious associations) and their impact on equality and integration of different groups of migrants. Discussions will focus on the core themes of integration and equality in relation to three groups of migrants: refugees and asylum seekers, economic migrants, and undocumented migrant and victims of trafficking across State, city, labour market and social levels. We invite perspectives from scholars in the disciplines of law, sociology, politics, geography, anthropology, organisation, work and employment to reflect on these issues 20 years since Tampere. We also welcome practitioners and representatives of business, civil society organisations and third sector associations to join and contribute to the discussions.

Reconceiving Migration Policy: The EU between Ambitions and Challenges

2019

Given the current context of migration crises, the question of how the EU relates to migration has been generally asked in the field of refugee rights and asylum seekers; that of its policy in terms of legal immigration is however less frequent. This paper aims at providing an analysis beyond the emergency answer to migration flows and focuses on the general migration legal order to which European Member States belong. Considering them as major integration parameters, we will illustrate States’ migration competences through the lens of Access to Territory, Education and Labour for third-country nationals. This overview will allow us to further explore the evolution and perspectives of the policy making processes in Europe. It will also provide us with an understanding of how migration is currently perceived and translated into political decisions by European Member States. After this in-depth overview, the current and foreseeable Human Rights impacts of migration regimes will be assessed. We will argue that legal immigration requirements, increasingly difficult to reach, combined with a growing restrictiveness on illegal migration hardly fit with a dignified treatment of people. Therefore, theories for a different conception of migration issues and towards more flexible policies will be discussed, both for reconciling the EU with its fundamental values and for paving the way towards a sustainable response to the growing migration movements shaping our globalized societies.

Loading...

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

Digesting Difference: Migrants, Refugees, and Incorporation in Europe

McKowen, Kelly and John Borneman. 2020. “Digesting Difference: Migrants, Refugees, and Incorporation in Europe.” In Digesting Difference: Migrant Incorporation and Mutual Belonging in Europe, edited by Kelly McKowen and John Borneman, 1-27. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan., 2020