During my weeks of researching immigration in the European Union (EU), I have found one of the most compelling aspects to be European nationals’ fear of immigrants based on perceptions that may be true, false, or flawed. For example, some Europeans’ resistance towards immigrants comes from the idea that they are settling in EU Member States with greater intention of permanence and integration, which is a reality. However, this perception is also intertwined with concerns that more immigrants stay longer, eroding European identity, altering national demographics, and creating security concerns. Such arguments are contentious and often flawed, fueling national discourse on the issue of immigration and informing how governments deal with the EU-Mediterranean relationship.
France, in particular, provides a notable example of national discourse on immigration and subsequent questions of integration and the role of religion in public life. With a deep-seated commitment to laïcité, or secularism, and one of the largest populations of first- and second-generation migrants, France faces a challenge in integrating those migrants seeking greater freedom of religious expression. Controversial rules like the 2004 hijab ban and the 2010 burqa ban have not only demonstrated France’s dedication to eroding religion in the public sphere but also actively isolated Muslim communities that feel unjustly targeted and disproportionately affected by such laws. Integrative efforts must dually focus on integrating newly-arrived migrants and descendants of migrants from earlier generations– and the influence of religion cannot be excluded from these processes. As I continue my research, understanding how these intersections are shaped by and subsequently shape the EU-Mediterranean relationship is crucial to building a policy framework that more humanely addresses interfaith communication and integration.
In the last decade, concerns surrounding immigration have intensified, particularly following the 2015 “refugee crisis,” when mass numbers of asylum seekers and refugees migrated to Europe in the wake of the 2010-2012 Arab Spring and subsequent civil conflict. Responses from EU Member States varied, with some countries (such as Germany) welcoming refugees with open arms and others (like Austria, Hungary, and Slovenia) constructing physical barriers to keep asylum seekers out. The influx of refugees and subsequent discourse regarding institutional responses sparked intense debate among European policymakers, media, and citizens. Notably, far-right populist parties campaigning based on anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiments grew in popularity. These parties have contributed to interfaith hostilities, discouraging cross-cultural understanding and integration in favor of stricter immigration laws and resistance to the so-called “Islamization of Europe.” These hostilities and the policy changes they propose and provoke promise to change the nature of EU-Mediterranean relations at a crucial time.
In my continuing research, I plan to explore Greece, Italy, and Spain’s social, cultural, and political landscapes regarding immigration, integration, and religion. In doing so, I will be able to contrast how different member states’ peoples and governments use the EU-Mediterranean relationship to shape their policies and cultural connections.
Author: Natalie Dolenga
Read the full paper here: “Immigration & Integration in the EU-Mediterranean Relationship: How Mediterranean Policy Impacts Religion in the EU”