A distinctive contribution to the politics of citizenship and immigration in an expanding European Union, this book explains how and why differences arise in responses to immigration by examining local, national and transnational dimensions of public debates on Romanian migrants and the Roma minority in Italy and Spain.

''No subject is more divisive then migration policy in the current political debate in Europe. However, six years into the global financial crisis, it is not only migration from third countries, but even intra-European migration which creates tensions and controversies. The EU itself does not seem able to address a fundamental crisis of identity. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the politics of immigration and citizenship in the European Union, going at the origins of the debate on what it truly means to be a European Citizen. After introducing the theoretical dimension of the politics of immigration and citizenship, the book explores the cases of intra-EU migration in Italy and Spain of focusing on the case of the Roma. This thorough volume is essential reading for those who wish to understand the dynamics of intra-EU migration from a deep, cultural perspective.'' - Professor Leila Simona Talani, Professor of International Political Economy and Jean Monnet Chair in European Political Economy, King's College London

''This timely and well-written book smartly shows how supranational structural-legal changes influence immigrants' integration in national contexts with different political dynamics. An outstanding contribution to a deeper understanding of policy and politics of citizenship, which will be highly beneficial to scholars and students interested in immigration to Europe and its consequences.'' - Claudia Finotelli, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Autorentext

Simon McMahon has been a Visiting Researcher at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy and the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain. He has also carried out policy work for major public institutions in the UK, taught politics in the UK and the Czech Republic, and worked on community engagement and development projects in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: The Politics of Immigration and Citizenship in an Enlarging European Union 2. Defining who is who in the politics of immigration 3. The Structural Context of Immigration to Italy and Spain 4. The National Politics of immigration in Italy and Spain 5. The Local Politics of Immigration in Rome and Madrid 6. Intra-Eu Migrant Politics in Italy and Spain 7. The politics of the Roma in Italy and Spain 8. Conclusions: Becoming citizens of an expanding European Union