Which factors influence states’ migration policies?

Migration policies have become strongly politicised in Western Europe in the last decades, and in Central and Eastern Europe in the last years. This was due in part to the absence or failures of integration policies. This chapter summarises the theoretical thinking on how and under the influence of which factors (economic policies, foreign policies and international obligations, national traditions) immigration policies are formulated and reflects on how and by whom they should be formulated. It discusses the role of not only national but also local authorities, NGOs and the media. Finally, it argues that an effective migration policy should include the full spectrum of the state’s areas of intervention in migration: immigration, emigration, preventing irregular migration and – most importantly – integration. Integration policy, which should stimulate a two-way process between immigrants and the receiving society, should not be treated as secondary, as decisions in immigration policy must be made based on the effects of previous integration policies.