the european immigration towards europe

Running head: IMMIGRATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The immigration phenomenon in the European Union

Student: Euridiki Damoulianou

Instructor: Dr. Dimitri’s apostolidis

GE160 EU institutions and policies

Hellenic America University

Spring 2011


Abstract

This paper contains the definition of immigration, the roots and the

consequences of immigration to the European Union. This paper will begin with

a brief historical background of immigration in the European Union and will

continue with an analysis of the policies and laws that the European Union has

enacted in order to manage the phenomenon. Based on research, and as the

subsequent analysis will present, it was concluded that the issue of immigration

in the European Union is quite complex and multi-dimensional. What is of

significance are the methods and procedures that the European states use in

order to manage and control it. Following a brief research into the topic, it is

believed by the author that if the European States implement a common

European immigration policy, the issues resulting from it would be handled in a

much more efficient and constructive manner.

The immigration phenomenon in the European Union

Immigration, for any nation, represents a controversial and complicated

issue. More so for the European Union that represents a deeply integrated area

with a single market, common currency and a policy that supports the free

movement of people, goods and capital. Since the Maastricht Treaty and the


establishment of what is referred to as the external frontiers of the EU,

immigration policy has been elevated to one of the areas that, although managed

intergovernmentally, are of pivotal importance to the member states.

Over the ages, the nature of European immigration has changes. A

significant number of nations had been net contributors to the phenomenon with

their respective citizens moving to far lands in search of economic prosperity.

The host nations were as diverse in character as the origins of those selecting to

immigrate. However, as European nations experienced a fast pace economic

development in the decade following World War II, things changed: From net

contributors to the phenomenon they became net receivers of immigrants

looking for economic prosperity in the old continent.

The flow of immigrants was influenced by a number of factors such as,

but not restricted, to decolonization, economic instability in the newly formed

states, political oppression, and religious persecution and even invitations by

Western governments to become guest workers. The initial period of

immigration was characterized by legal immigration. However, within a short

period of time, the phenomenon of illegal immigration appeared setting a major

challenge for the European government.

Before we continue with our analysis, it is important to define a number

of terms and the parameters of our work. Immigration is the process whereby an

individual or a group of individuals abandon their home country in order to live

permanently in a different place with better working conditions and quality of


life compared to their home-country. The above process can be either legal or

illegal.

It is legal when governed by rules determined and applied by the host

state which simultaneously sets a cap (limit) on the number of immigrants it can

accept, a number that is usually determined by its economic capacity to

incorporate the new arrivals into the social and economic fabric of the nation.

The process becomes illegal when immigrants cross the border without formal

procedures and remain in the host nation without being granted residency or

work permits.

According to current statistical data, each year 2 million individuals

(originating mainly from developing countries) immigrate to Europe (Brady,

2008). For example, only in Spain during the last ten years, the amount of

immigrants has increased by 400 percent. It is estimated that in the next 40 years

the number of immigrants entering Europe, will increase by a significant degree

-40 percent- (Brady, 2008).

Although, it seems that migration has become a major global

phenomenon only in recent decades, Europe has a long history of immigration.

During the middle of the1950s economic development in a number of Western

and Northern European Countries, such as Germany led to labor shortages and,

consequently, a great need for foreign workers .It was immigrants from the

developing and poor countries that filled these demands(Hansen, 2003). During

the early years of immigration in Europe, there were two distinct groups of


immigrants: a) the guest workers and b) the immigrants whose entry was

governed by the respective national policies of the host states. The national

immigration policies that were implemented by the European countries during

this period are classified into two main categories: rotational and permanent

(Hansen, 2003).

Each category is defined by the duration of one’s residency in the host

state. For example, Switzerland implemented a rotational immigration policy

that is, the foreign worker had the right to stay and work in the state only for a

limited period of time (Hansen, 2003). On the contrary, the permanent

immigration policy that the UK adopted was more flexible since a foreign

worker had the right to extend his residency in the UK for a longer period of

time (Hansen, l

2003).

Until the end of the 1950s the European States such as France and

Germany had the impression that the foreign workers would return back to their

home-countries when their economic system would stop flourishing (Hansen,

2003). But, this impression proved to be an illusion, because the majority of

immigrants (the group of immigrants that they were guest workers) seemed to

resist efforts of the European States for their repatriation (Hansen, 2003).

Furthermore, the host nations, apart from the foreign workers had to accept their

families as well (Hansen, 2003).The fact that the birth rate of immigrants was

significantly higher than the birth rate of the local population, resulted in the


European countries transformation from mono-lingual and mono-cultural

countries, to multi-lingual and multi-cultural ones (Hansen, 2003).

During the 1960s and 1970s, as economic European development

subsided, the number of immigrants increased dramatically from previous years

thus sparking debates and conflict between local citizens and their respective

national governments (Hansen, 2003). Thus, the host European countries

adopted a stricter national immigrant policy in order to curtail the influx of

immigrants in their countries (Hansen, 2003). However, due to family

reunification and the development of sizeable and strong local immigrant

communities, the ratio of immigrants as a percentage of the total respective

populations continued to increase (Hansen, 2003).

During the 1980s the number of legal foreign citizens in Germany was

about 800, 00, 500,000 in Italy and 200,000 in the UK (Hansen, 2003). On the

contrary, in France during the 1980s a significant number of immigrants

returned to their home country because there was a limited demand for foreign

employees (Hansen, 2003).

During the 1990s circular immigration (the fluid movement of people

between countries) increased significantly (Boswell, 2005). Moreover, during

the 1990s a high demand for asylums -the protection that an individual, who

cannot return to his home-country, asks for from a nation in order to avoid

prosecution at home – was observed (Boswell, 2005).


Finally, since 2000 an increase of immigrants towards Southern Europe

and especially the Mediterranean countries, that is Spain, Greece, Portugal and

Italy, was observed (Salt, 2006).

Different forces drive individuals to immigrate towards Europe. Overall,

what best describes European immigration patterns is a system defined by the

pull/ push factor theory (Brady, 2008). The theory defines a set of factors that

simultaneously exits in both host and home nation and influence the decision of

the potential immigrant .Pull factors are defined as those that make the option of

immigrating to the host country very appealing. They usually include, but not

restricted to, the better living and working conditions that exist in the potential

host nation translating into higher salaries, better educational opportunities, a

booming economy, a promise of political and religious freedom and family

reunification (Brady, 2008).

Push factors are defined as the set of factors characteristic of the

economic and possibly political conditions of the home nation that push an

individual to consider and most likely immigrate to another nation. Such factors

are, but again not restricted to, high unemployment, political instability, war and

poverty (Brady, 2008).

However, the causes of immigration cannot be analyzed within a general

context since they correlated simultaneously with the personality, the

educational and the cultural background of each potential immigrant as well as


with the circumstances that exist in his home nation and at their potential

destination (host nation).

One interesting case study is that of Nigerian immigration to Europe. It

should be noted that the Nigerian case could serve as a guide since the reasons

governing Nigerian immigration patterns are similar, if not identical, to those of

other nationalities from developing countries.

Firstly, the poverty and the unemployment that exist in Nigeria are two of

the main reasons why a significant amount of locals abandon their home country

(Museckaite, 2008). According to statistical data more than 68.70 percent of

Nigerian citizens live in high poverty lacking basic needs such as food and water

(Museckaite, 2008). Moreover, 19.7 percent of Nigerian citizens are

unemployed and those who do work receive very low wages in comparison to

the increased cost of living (Museckaite, 2008). On the contrary, Europe

searches both for skilled and unskilled workers to cover its labor needs

(Museckaite, 2008). Added to the fact that Europe offers higher salaries to

workers (in comparison to their home country), it presents for Nigerians a great

opportunity to increase their income and to send back currency to Nigeria to

help their families (Museckaite, 2008).

Furthermore, the lack of a proper educational system, push Nigerians to

immigrate towards Europe (Museckaite, 2008). 99% of Nigeria’s residents claim

that the educational system of their country has suffered from years of

negligence added to the absence of specific policy frameworks within the


system (Museckaite, 2008).The teaching personnel is not adequately qualified

and there is a lack of educational facilities (Museckaite, 2008). On the contrary,

education in Europe nations is highly prioritized and its personnel are well

qualified and competent (Museckaite, 2008). In addition, in the Europe nations,

there is a wide range of free education for all citizens and the immigrants can be

accepted to all universities that exist in Europe (Museckaite, 2008).

Finally, the improvised Nigerian medical system (the absence of adequate

hospitals and well educated personnel) forces its citizens with chronic conditions

that require long term health, to immigrate to European nations (Museckaite,

2008).

Contrary to Nigeria and developing nations overall, European countries

social security standards are high (Museckaite, 2008). In most EU members,

social security is financed through taxes and covers health needs that extend

from childhood to adulthood. (Museckaite, 2008). In addition, all the legal

immigrants in Europe are covered by free public insurance and have equal and

free access to all the public hospitals and health services (Museckaite, 2008).

Another aspect of immigration is the impact it has on European nations,

specifically, its implications for Europe’s economy, culture and politics.

To begin with, although the economic impact of immigration on Europe

has been discussed a lot, some economic aspects need further research –for

example, the consumer role of immigrants- (European Immigration Network,

2006).


Immigrants have turned into significant consumers in the European

nations (European Immigration Network, 2006). It has been estimated that their

increased demand for ethnic products has resulted in the development of

marketing campaigns with immigrants as the target groups (European

Immigration Network, 2006).

On the flip side, immigrant activity has contributed to increase outflow of

capital from the host nation to the country of origin in the form of income

remittance. The challenges faced by most immigrants and their inability to rely

on steady employment either due to lack of official credentials or, most

commonly language barriers, have led many to turn into entrepreneurs. Small

business or the so called “ethnic entrepreneurship”, have influenced European

economies (European Immigration Network, 2006).

In addition, many European countries have created a set of opportunities

to help the immigrants to create small business – for example, the Diaspora

network capital and family labor (European Immigration Network, 2006).

Finally, immigrants who are high qualified, have a positive impact on Europe’s

economic growth, because they contribute to high quality service sectors such as

health and education (European Immigration Network, 2006). However, the

phenomenon of high -qualified immigrants is rather new, because until the

1990s immigrants were perceived as ideal workers for difficult jobs, which the

autochthonous populations avoided (European Immigration Network, 2006).


The impact of immigrants on European cultures is difficult to measure

(European Immigration Network, 2006). One domain in Europe which has

changed due to immigration ,is the area of cuisine and food consumption

(European Immigration Network, 2006).There is a high range of foreign

foods ,which have contributed to the development of ethnic restaurants and to

the change of eating habit (European Immigration Network, 2006).

Furthermore, sports have also been influenced by immigration (European

Immigration Network, 2006). Many immigrants participate in various sport

activities both as amateurs and professionals (European Immigration Network,

2006).Immigrants also, has brought with them the sport traditions they have

inherited from their home-countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).

In addition, immigrants have influenced the world of fashion with many

designers borrowing the exotic, and on occasion, eccentric styles of their home

fashion and introducing them as part of the main stream (European Immigration

Network, 2006).According to some studies, in some places of Europe,

autochthonous population has adapted the fashion style of immigrants (for

example, a lot of Chinese shops with clothes have been created in many

European countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).

Immigrants have also influenced the arts (European Immigration

Network, 2006) .Many taking advantage of the freedom of speech and

expression will use their new found freedoms to either express through art their

experiences escaping their home governments or will create using their new


homes as an inspiration to express hope. Either way, the incorporation of a

different voice to the artistic landscape of the home nation often offers a fresh

perspective. It however on occasion can lead to trouble as demonstrated to by

the Dutch illegal immigrant that was arrested for deportation after the

publication of a book narrating her experience.

Finally, immigration has a significant impact on the structure of European

countries (European Immigration Network, 2006).

The fact that the political right of immigrants is debatable, has contributed to the

creation of participatory institutions and advisory systems assisting in the

incorporation of the immigrants in their host nations (European Immigration

Network, 2006).

Also, a set of immigrant-self organizations and civil society institutions,

have increased the political interest of immigrants (European Immigration

Network, 2006).Thus, the creation of non-government and civil- society

organizations and religious groups, is a trait of modern Europe (European

Immigration Network, 2006).

Most of the members of the European Union in October 1999, agreed to

develop a common immigration policy in order to manage the phenomenon of

immigration towards Europe (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).

The common immigration policy ,which took into account both the

demographic and economic development of the European Union, the situation of

the countries of origin and the need to develop a set of specific integration


policies, was confirmed in

2004(ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).

In addition, in 2004 the Hague program was implemented which aimed at

setting Justice, freedom and security in the European Union between the period

2005-2010 (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).

More specifically, the Hague program contains the following key issues:

fair treatment for third countries nationals , a common European asylum system,

the development of partnerships with countries of origin and of transit and a

analytical approach to the management of migration flows (ec.europa.eu/home-

affairs/policies/immigration).

Finally, the Hague program contains a European framework to contribute

to immigrant’s better integration to the host nation , a policy to repatriate illegal

immigrants , common visa rules and measures for foreigners to legally work in

Europe (ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration).

To sum up, immigration in Europe is a complex and controversial issue

with a long history, various causes and significant impacts on Europe. The most

members of the European Union have realized that immigration can benefit

Europe provided that a common European policy for the management of

immigration is implemented.


Resources

Hansen (2003).Migration to Europe since 1945: Its History and its Lessons. The

Political Quarterly.

Brandy (2008) .EU migration policy: an A-Z. The center for European reform,

London.

European Commission Home affairs. (2011). Retrieved June 1, 2011 from

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration/immigration_intro_en.htm

.

European Immigration Network. (2006). Retrieved June, 1, 2011 from

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/immigration/docs/studies/

emn_immigration_2006_en.pdf.

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/immigration/docs/studies/emn_immigration_2006_en.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/immigration/docs/studies/emn_immigration_2006_en.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/immigration/immigration_intro_en.htm


Museckaite( 2008). Reasons for Nigerian people migration to Europe. Roskilde

University.

Boswel (2005). Migration in Europe. Hamburg Institute of international

Economics.

Salt (2006). Current trends in International Migration in Europe.Consultant’s

Report to the Council of Europe.

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