Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
New study “Paving the way” shows that integration policies have not improved in France and US since 2010. But both governments promise major reforms… Continue reading
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Filed under Access to Nationality, France, USA
Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
Non-EU nationals more often live in insecure and overcrowded housing, face greater housing costs, and receive fewer benefits. Often they do not have the same rights as nationals. They may be exposed to discrimination based on their nationality or religion. Often only non-EU long-term residents and families can obtain equal housing rights. Access to these statuses are increasingly restricted in Northwest Europe for migrants who use their right to welfare. Family reunion is limited to those who can meet vague or demanding housing requirements. Continue reading
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Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
Based on EUDO-Citizenship commentary by Andrea Barsova
This October, the Czech government’s new citizenship bill received both praise and criticism from NGOs for following two contradictory trends in Europe’s new and old countries of immigration. While the acceptance of dual nationality and entitlements for the children of foreigners remove two major obstacles to citizenship, the new conditions for naturalisation are more restrictive than in most EU countries.
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Filed under Access to Nationality, Czech Republic
Dace Akule, Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, MIPEX national partner for Latvia
Thomas Huddleston, Migration Policy Group
On 6 September, the Latvian parliament adopted amendments in second reading to the Citizenship law that has been unchanged since 1998. The amendments include limited dual citizenship and easing procedures for the naturalisation of children born to Latvia’s non-citizens. If approved in final reading, the new law should be in force as of January 2013. However, it includes only minor improvements for the integration of third country nationals. Continue reading
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By Zvezda Vankova, researcher at the Open Society Institute Sofia, MIPEX national partner for Bulgaria**
Two years after Bulgaria has been assessed with the MIPEX for the first time, positive developments are registered only in two areas regulated by the acquis communautaire – family reunification and long- term residence. The legislative changes harmonizing Bulgarian legislation with the respective EU directives do not influence the overall MIPEX score of the country and have very limited impact on the integration policies for migrants in Bulgaria.
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Filed under Bulgaria, Family Reunion, Labour Market Mobility
Today, the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Notwithstanding this great honour, the EU has far to go to promote the human rights of migrants in Europe in key areas of integration, according to the 2010 Migrant Integration Policy Index.
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Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
The new Greek government wants to undermine its landmark 2010 Nationality Reform by aligning the law with other southern European countries facing irregular migration. However, Greece’s current naturalisation and birthright citizenship policies already reflect the average practice in most Western countries of immigration and the reform trends in Southern Europe. Moreover, Europe’s nationality laws are not major pull factors for irregular migration. Citizenship restrictions ‘in the name of irregular migration’ are often based on ancedotes about ‘birth tourism’ and rhetoric from the far-right.
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Filed under Access to Nationality, Greece
Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
On 19 July, a proposed new Belgian Nationality law passed the Belgian Parliament’s Justice Committee with a large majority. Naturalisation should be “migration-neutral,” meaning that applicants should be living in Belgium as long-term residents. Also, applicants should already be linguistically, socially, and economically integrated before they apply.On the eve of Belgian’s National Day, is this new proposal something to celebrate? Or will it undermine Belgium’s liberal naturalisation policy and its positive effects on integration? Continue reading
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Filed under Access to Nationality, Belgium
Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
As of 9 July, the UK will have one of the world’s highest income requirements for people to reunite with their family. Continue reading
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Filed under Family Reunion, UK
Written by Thomas Huddleston, MIPEX Research Coordinator, Co-author and Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
Would the public generally support their country’s policies on equal rights for immigrants?
According to my new analysis, there is no contradiction in the EU between governments granting equal rights and opportunities for immigrants and public support for equal rights. Countries that grant more equal rights to immigrants tend to have more people who support equal rights, see the benefits of immigration to society, and see the need for non-EU labour migration. In these countries, including Denmark, Finland, Italy, and The Netherlands, politicians may discuss restrictions to immigrants’ rights as a reaction to the far-right—but these restrictions do not necessary respond to the opinion of the general public.
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Filed under EU
