Europeanization of immigration policy as a challenge in the European Union policy Making process: The case of immigrant integration

ABSTRACT Immigrant integration has for a long time, been a crucial issue in Europe. Amongst the factors that trigger immigration are the demand for labour, political crisis (wars) in some countries and most recently, natural calamities (storms, cyclones and earthquakes) faced by some countries in the world. Because of the multiplicity of such factors and high demand for labour, immigrant integration has been perceived as one of the most threatening policy areas in Europe and has often required stringent measures both at national and EU levels. This thesis deals with the challenges of immigrant integration at the EU policy Level. The sensitive nature of immigrant integration to state sovereignty is a point of focus because of the harmonisation challenges at the intergovernmental and supranational levels. This study explores the motives behind the cooperation at EU level and the role of supranational institutions in shaping the EU level policies. Secondly, the author will examine the scope and capabilities of the policies. The case of immigrant integration has been chosen because of its sensitivity both to Europe and the prospective immigrants. In this thesis, the author will explore and examine the most vital aspects of immigration and immigrant integration policies at EU level, the reasons why EU level policies are not yet proactive and why they are not supranationalised yet. I will also look at available EU instruments and sources for coming up with strategies of integrating immigrants. All these will be done with regards to the theoretical frame work due to the sensitivity and complex nature of immigration problems faced by European states. Each theory will be explaining some stage or level in the development of EU level policies (Liberal intergovernmental and new institutionalism), the possible EU policy making frame work (intensive transgovernmentalism and policy coordination/bench making). Asiasanat:Immigration, EU policies,Integratio