Magdalena Lesińska

The European backlash against immigration and multiculturalism

Europe forms an interesting laboratory for studying political reactions to mass immigration and integration of ethnic minorities during times of political turbulence and economic crisis. Political leaders of mainstream parties, under pressure from critics of intensified immigration and now from the social effects of the Great Recession, act reactively and defensively. They respond to a political backlash against immigration and to concerns about unemployment and job security by criticizing (mainly illegal) immigrants for welfare parasitism, reluctance to integrate and even criminality. Such criticism generates a climate of suspicion and hostility towards immigrants and legitimizes policies that restrict immigration and immigrant rights. The leaders also describe ‘multiculturalism’ – portrayed as uncritical acceptance of cultural diversity – as a failure, and suggest more ‘realistic’ (read: less tolerant, more assimilationist) policy strategies.

Ukrainian and Russian Immigrants in Poland: Whither Integration?

This chapter analyses the integration of immigrants from Ukraine and Russia in Poland, with special attention to the interplay of the legal and political frameworks of the countries of destination and origin in the receiving country’s integration process. The findings are based on an analysis of quantitative data and an exploratory survey which targeted representatives of civil society organisations working with migrants in Poland. The survey results confirm that in the case of Ukrainian and Russian migrants residing in Poland, there is no evidence of any organised support from either the country of origin or the country of destination with respect to migrants’ integration in the receiving country.