The Integration and Protection of Immigrants

In Scandinavian countries immigration is a sensitive issue and legislators' approach to the questions it has raised has varied over the years. Whatever immigrant and integration policies are adopted in a democratic society, it is clear that the legislation and the authorities have to ensure that the individual rights of the immigrants residing in its territory are respected. With Canada as a point of reference, this book draws attention to weaknesses in the regulation and implementation of integration provisions threatening the immigrants' individual rights in the EU member states of Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The study challenges readers to critically review the meaning of rights and the notion of global caring. It takes a critical look at how vulnerable immigrants fare in a largely immigrant nation with a welfare capitalism legacy, when compared to three European nations which claim to embrace institutional welfare models.This book will be of great interest to scholars and decision-makers interested in Scandinavian or Canadian immigration and integration policies. 'The contributors to Van Aerschot and Daenzer's comparative analysis of four immigrant-receiving nations provide a rich and detailed portrait of the complex interplay of integration policies, welfare regimes, and national labor needs. The book adds appreciably to our understanding of the challenge of diversity in the world's liberal democracies.'Peter Kivisto, Augustana College, USA'In a context of tense debates influenced by neoliberal ideology this well researched, thought provoking, thoughtful and compelling volume edited by Paul Van Aerschot and Patricia Daenzer offers new answers to new questions on immigration. Anyone interested in the genuine integration and protection of immigrants from a socio-legal perspective will benefit from reading these essays in which authors call for the protection of human capital with more humane and coherent outcomes.'Maroussia Hajdukowski-Ahmed, McMaster University, Canada'The protection of immigrants is a key challenge for contemporary welfare states. This timely and important volume offers a critical assessment of the policies designed and implemented to this purpose in Northern Europe and Canada. It highlights the importance of developing legal and institutional provisions that balance societal interests and individual rights.'Peter A. Kraus, University of Augsburg, Germany