Admission policy, patterns of migration and integration: The German and French case compared

Different concepts of citizenship and nationality prevail in Germany and in France. These differences lead to different patterns of migration into these countries and to different policies governing the integration of migrants. The French concept of equality leads to a migration policy which is oriented towards the assimilation of migrants. Citizenship is accordingly granted more on the principle of jus soli and differences in status groups are not held to exist. Germany's understanding of citizenship has been based on descent and immigration policy has focused on groups which have German ethnic backgrounds. During the period of economic demand for foreign labour, Germany did not plan to have permanent immigration and considered the employment of foreign labour to be a temporary measure. In the meantime, even when the arrival of immigrants with no German ethnic background is accepted, there still exist enormous differences in the integration of different ethnic groups. While ethnic Germans are privileged in that they have a right to citizenship when they arrive in Germany, and are also entitled to various integration measures, other immigrant groups frequently may not be granted citizenship, even in the case of the second or third generations.