Rights, Immigration and Social Cohesion in Spain

This article examines the main changes to immigrant integration policy in Spain following the impact of the economic crisis. To this end, it analyzes the way legal immigration continues to be strictly bound by the labor market. The fact that demand for foreign labor has fallen makes it difficult to reconcile immigration with inclusion. One of the clearest indicators that integration is not a priority in Spain is the significant restriction of immigrants' rights, particularly in relation to healthcare. This situation underlines the compelling need to develop a multidimensional policy that considers those in Spain with a migrant background as individuals with rights. Such a policy must introduce plans and measures that support social cohesion from a perspective of fundamental legal equality.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Solanes Corella,Ángeles
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: El Colegio de la Frontera Norte A.C. 2015
Online Access:http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1665-89062015000200001
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Summary:This article examines the main changes to immigrant integration policy in Spain following the impact of the economic crisis. To this end, it analyzes the way legal immigration continues to be strictly bound by the labor market. The fact that demand for foreign labor has fallen makes it difficult to reconcile immigration with inclusion. One of the clearest indicators that integration is not a priority in Spain is the significant restriction of immigrants' rights, particularly in relation to healthcare. This situation underlines the compelling need to develop a multidimensional policy that considers those in Spain with a migrant background as individuals with rights. Such a policy must introduce plans and measures that support social cohesion from a perspective of fundamental legal equality.