“Lost in Integration”: Compromising Immigrant Inclusion for the Sake of Stable Society in the European Union Countries”

Abstract

Discourse on inclusion of immigrants in the European Union countries traditionally revolves around three core models: multiculturalism,assimilationism and differential incorporation. However, effectiveness of such classification is called in question due to dramatic transformationsin economic, political, cultural priorities of receiving states. Competing stance of the European Union institutions (the EuropeanCommission) and of the nation-states influenced coordination and harmonization problems regarding responsibilities for integration ofimmigrants. Moreover, in order to ensure stability inside the receiving society, the member states started to introduce the so-called civicintegration requirements which are criticized due to violation of immigrants’ fundamental rights. The point of debate lies in the following:whether to select those immigrants who demonstrate compliance with values and identities of the receiving community? And secondly,should immigrant rights be sacrificed in the name of protecting national identity of the EU member states? Therefore, the present articleaims at examining a complicated nature of regulating immigrant integration policies. It analyzes approaches to civic integration programsin different EU countries, and the way, how they fit into models of immigrant incorporation.