Regions and immigration in advanced democracies

Abstract

Immigration has become a cleaving issue in contemporary politics. Ranging from forced migration and climate-related population displacement to more mundane intra-European Union/European Free Trade Association (EU/EFTA) freedom of movement, the immigration challenge takes several forms. Whilst national and supranational institutions have mobilized on the issue, subnational authorities in federal and regionalized countries have become important actors shaping integration policies and mediating their effects. Beyond their growth in formal competences, regional authorities underline how the triangular relationship between community, solidarity and territory matters. All three facets affect the integration of immigrants, with repercussions throughout the policy–politics–polity triptych.