Based on legal-philosophical research, and informed by insights gleaned
from empirical case studies, this book sets out three central claims
about integration requirements as conditions for attaining increased
rights (ie family migration, permanent residency and citizenship) in
Europe:
(1) That the recent proliferation of these (mandatory) integration
requirements is rooted in a shift towards 'individualised' conceptions
of integration.
(2) That this shift is counterproductive as it creates barriers to
participation and inclusion for newcomers (who will most likely
permanently settle); and is normatively problematic insofar as it
produces status hierarchies between native-born and immigrant citizens.
(3) That the remedy for this situation is a firewall that disconnects
integration policy from access to rights.
The book draws on perspectives on immigrant integration in multiple EU
Member States and includes legal and political reactions to the
refugee/migrant crisis.