Immigration and insecurity in France

Abstract:

This book, published in 2004, addresses the deep seated issues experienced by immigrant communities in France which erupted into public displays of resentment in a violent format during the second half of 2005. It presents analysis of the way in which immigration and asylum policies have developed in France over recent years.

The book is organised over eight chapters. The first chapter examines the idea of immigration and citizenship in France and the growing perception of immigration as a threat to national identity. Chapter two looks at the development of immigration policy in the European context of integration and a borderless Europe. Asylum and refugee policy in that same context are explored in chapter three, while illegal immigration and the treatment of illegal immigrants are dealt with in chapter four. The work moves in the remaining chapters to explore more general issues of immigrants’ rights and the boundaries of citizenship. Chapter five concentrates on immigrants’ rights, the exclusionary nature of political citizenship in France and the inequalities arising from that policy. Chapter six confronts gender inequality and its particular impact upon immigrant women. The challenge presented by immigrant cultural aspects to the secular Republic is the focus of chapter seven. The final chapter addresses the issue of racism and discrimination and the perceived failure of anti-racism in France due to continuing dependence on Republican models of citizenship and rights.

The work will interest scholars, students, policy researchers and policy makers engaged in the fields of European integration, multiculturalism, asylum and immigration issues.

Jane Freedman is a Lecturer in Politics at Southampton University.