The Wayward Path Toward Convergence in European Immigration Policy

This chapter surveys the progression of immigration policies in Europe, arguing that recent global economic developments have accelerated convergence. After a discussion of pre-World War II immigration that illustrates substantial differences in national policies, the chapter demonstrates how the postwar period has witnessed greater economic convergence between European countries, which has led to an increasing conjunction of immigration strategies among countries. While Western Europe's common peace and economic prosperity have proven attractive for migrants from less developed and stable countries, a series of institutions have also been instrumental in generating parallel policies. The UN Convention on Refugees mandates common standards that have provided opportunities for asylum seekers across Europe, while the European Union itself has produced common legislation in areas such as family reunion, high-skilled migration, asylum standards, and irregular migration. While national governments ultimately retain control over the migration of non-EU nationals, global economic trends, personified by such institutions as the EU or WTO, have ushered steadily increasing convergence over the last 30 years.