Discrimination Instead of Integration? Integration Requirements for Immigrants in Denmark and Germany

• Published in: Illiberal Liberal States pp. 299 - 314
• Main Author: Wiesbrock, Anja
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2009
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Permanent Residence Permit; Long Term Residence; Spousal Reunification; Introduction Programme; Integration Requirements; Integration Courses; naturalisation; Wet Inburgering Nieuwkomers; EU Migration; Muslim World; Het Buitenland; Danish immigration law; Non-discrimination Directives; integration policies; Family Reunification Directive; EU Level; Integration Measures; EU Immigration Policy; Ricky Van Oers; Danish Integration; Integration Act; Long Term Residence Status; Nationality Act; Host Member State; EU Citizen; EU Immigration; Denmark; Scottish Gaelic; Integration Conditions; Germany; Long Term Residence Directive
• ISBN: 0754676986; 9780754676980
• DOI: 10.4324/9781315587813-20

This chapter provides a critical analysis of the integration requirements faced by TCNs at each of these three stages in Denmark and Germany. The Danish immigration law contains several measures that have as their official aim a better integration of immigrants and can therefore be considered as implicit integration requirements. The Integration Act is supplemented by the 2003 Act on Danish Courses for Adult Aliens that entered into force on 1 January 2004. The acquisition of German nationality by naturalisation is regulated under Section 8 of the 2000 Nationality Act. Generally, a claim to naturalisation is attained after eight years of regular and lawful residence in Germany. In Germany as well as in Denmark integration policies establish obligations for both the immigrant and the national authorities. In Germany as to the contrary, negative perceptions about foreigners are often to be found implicitly in restrictive immigration and integration rules.