This book establishes asylum seekers as a socially excluded group. It provides an overview of historic and contemporary dispersal systems, and it investigates the policy of dispersing asylum seekers across the UK and how this dispersal impacts their lives. It argues that deterrent asylum policies increase the sense of liminality experienced by individuals. The book challenges assumptions that asylum seekers should be socially excluded until they receive refugee status, and it illustrates how asylum seekers create their own sense of 'belonging' in the absence of official recognition.
Will Somerville presents a comprehensive account of immigration policy since 1997, providing an in-depth account of policy and legislation since Tony Blair and New Labour were first elected.
This open access book describes how the numerous arrivals of asylum seekers since 2015 shaped reception and integration processes in Europe. It addresses the structuration of asylum and reception systems, and spaces and places of reception on European, national, regional and local level. It also analyses perceptions and discourses on asylum and refugees, their evolvement and the consequences for policy development. Furthermore, it examines practices and policy developments in the field of refugee reception and integration. The volume shows and explains a variety of refugee reception and integration strategies and practices as specific outcome of multilevel governance processes in Europe. By addressing and contextualizing those multiple experiences of asylum seeker reception, the book is a valuable contribution to the literature on migration and integration, societal development and political culture in Europe.
Despite increased political and public interest in asylum issues in the UK, little has been written on the topic. This book, written by leading experts in the field, is the first to examine the role of refugee community organisations (RCOs) at a critical point of policy change.
This book traces the ancient concept of sanctuary. It examines how the contemporary sanctuary city movement contributes to a hostile asylum regime by holding asylum seekers in a suspended state where rights are indefinitely deferred. At the same time, it explores myriad subversive practices challenging this waiting state.
This is the first book to focus on how racism affects the housing choices available to black and other ethnic minority groups and how this contributes to social exclusion. Using a practical approach, the contributors analyse the implications of social exclusion, offering suggestions for good practice in the allocation of housing for black and other ethnic minority groups. 'Race', Housing and Social Exclusion shows how racism and the shortage of housing workers from black and other ethnic minorities constrain the choices available to these groups, thereby preventing them from having an active role in society. Each chapter investigates a different aspect of the situation that black and other ethnic minority groups face, including: Their housing needs The procedure of the allocation of housing Patterns of housing settlement of black and other ethnic minority groups The employment of black and other ethnic minority staff in housing associations. This book also gives examples of the experiences and aspirations of black and other ethnic minority groups and relates them to subjects such as cultural differences within and among black and other ethnic minority groups, and the further social exclusion which arises from housing associations which help a specific ethnic minority group. `Race', Housing and Social Exclusion challenges existing views, which are based on broad generalisations of black and other ethnic minority groups, and also points to future policy making and strategic planning.
This book outlines ways in which churches are currently supporting asylum seekers, encouraging closer engagement with people seen as 'other' and more thoughtful responses to newcomers. Creatively exploring biblical and theological traditions surrounding the 'stranger', Snyder argues that as well as practising a vision of inclusive community churches would do well to engage with established population fears. Trends in global migration and the dynamics of fear and hostility surrounding immigration are critically and creatively explored throughout the book. Inviting more complex, nuanced responses to asylum seekers and immigrants, this book offers invaluable insights to those interested in Christian ethics, practical theology, faith and social action and mission, as well as those working in the field of migration.
Globalization, the economic crisis and related policies of austerity have led to a growth in extreme exploitation at work, with migrants particularly vulnerable. This book explores the lives of the growing numbers of severely exploited labourers in the world today, questioning how we can respond to such globalized patterns of extreme inequality.
In recent years there has been growing interest in the experiences of young people seeking asylum in Europe. While the significance of the role of age is recognized, both youth transitions and trajectories beyond the age of eighteen are still largely unexplored, the role and impact of mobility predominantly centering on experiences of movement from country of origin to country of settlement. Inhabiting Borders, Routes Home contends that in considering migration and settlement experiences of young refugees it is also important to consider the role of their mobility through age and transitions in the country of settlement. Based on narrative research with young refugees, this book explores how migration journeys are intertwined with life course journeys and transitions into adulthood, shedding light on the manner in which gender intersects with age in experiences of migration and settlement, with close attention to the processes by which 'home' is understood and constructed. Through the concept of 'home' the book draws together and reflects on interconnections between integration in areas such as education or housing and experiences of social networks. Examining experiences of the asylum process and the manner in which they are interwoven within a wider narrative of home both within and beyond, Inhabiting Borders, Routes Home will be of interest to social scientists working in the areas of migration, asylum, intersectionality and the life course.
