Theories of Migrant Settlement

Abstract

Previous research suggests that the settlement of refugees and asylum seekers in the country of asylum will depend on four key factors. First, are the policies of the country of asylum including the legal system, citizenship rights conferred on individuals through their immigration status in the country of asylum (Cohen, 1994; Robinson, 1986) and strategies of migrant incorporation such as differential exclusion and multiculturalism (Castles, 1995). Second, the presence or absence of social networks affects settlement (Robinson, 1993a). Third are the characteristics of individual migrants including language skills, education and employment. Economic participation is one of the key indicators of settlement. Fourth are the circumstances of the migration itself and linked to this are attitudes and aspirations about the migration (Al-Rasheed, 1994; Kunz, 1981). This chapter explores the factors that affect migrant settlement.