Exclusion And Marginalization As A Barrier To The Integration Of Immigrants In European Culturally And Ethnically Diverse Societies

The integration of immigrants and refugees (especially since the migration crisis) is at the heart of the world’s socio-political discourse. Acceptance of the arrivals by the receiving societies is nowadays in considerable doubt. The countries of the European Union (especially the so-called old Union) have found themselves at a crossroads. On the one hand, they want to respect their traditions, values such as tolerance and openness to „strangers,” while on the other hand, an alarmingly high percentage of European citizens do not accept the growing number of foreigners (especially those of Muslim origin) within their countries, according to statistical data. The article points out worrying, growing phenomena of racial discrimination, unequal treatment, and exclusion, making it difficult for immigrants and refugees to find themselves in a new reality for them, mainly blocking their integration in the new society