Paper for the “Conference on the Integration of Migrants and Refugees”, EUI Forum on Migration, Citizenship and Demography.
In European migration-receiving countries the integration of migrants and – especially– refugees has been traditionally based on the assumption that their stay is temporary rather than permanent: as a result, integration policies have been ad hoc at best and lacked a focus on the comprehensive immersion of migrants into the host societies. One of the best ways to achieve becoming a full and equal member of society is by securing a route towards citizenship through naturalization. Citizenship is an important measurement of integration because it extends rights to unconditional residence and political participation and because naturalization represents a deliberate choice by immigrants to link their future with that of the host country. Yet, citizenship acquisition rates in Europe remain relatively low –with significant variation between countries and between migrant groups– and policies outlining comprehensive pathways towards citizenship are the exception, rather than the rule. ‘Citizenship policies remain a major area of weakness for most European countries’, concludes the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). ‘The highly discretionary and costly path to citizenship often discourages rather than encourages immigrants to apply and succeed as new citizens.’
