¿Birds of passage? La integración social de la población refugiada en España

Abstract

The present article analyzes the conditions of social integration of the refugee population in Spain during the period 2012-2016, based on qualitative research data. For that purpose, the authors analyze the current situation of the issue in Europe and particularly in Spain, collects the main data on the sociodemographic profile of the refugees, and finally, exposes the results obtained in the research. During their first five years of incorporation, refugees in Spain are emulating the same vulnerable conditions of integration as in other European countries, mainly marked by job insecurity, housing poverty and economic uncertainty. The factors that explain this situation are as much of structural origin —institutional or economic— as social and personal —language or weakness of social networks—. The Spanish system of reception and social integration is unable to reverse this trend, so is in much need of proposals for reform and revision.

Vulnerability, Embedded Agency, and Downward Social Mobility of Young Asylum Seekers

“…In an environment characterized by social change and the flow of unexpected events, "multiscalar social forces" (Nunn et al, 2017, p. 53) determine the possibilities and aspirations of young people. Young refugees and asylum seekers end up experiencing segmented and ethno-stratified social inclusion (Iglesias-Martínez & Estrada, 2018) due to processes of discrimination and/or racialization based on structural, institutional, and socio-cultural constraints that limit their embedded agency (Brah, 1993;Khurshid, 2015) in the host society.…”

‘My new home?’: Strategies and challenges of refugee integration programs in Portugal

“…At the same time, greater collaboration is needed among all the partners responsible for the programs (Korntheuer et al, 2017). According to Iglesias-Martínez and Estrada (2018), refugees in Spain experience the same vulnerable integration conditions as in other European countries, mainly marked by job insecurity, housing poverty and economic uncertainty. This is because of both structural (institutional and economic) and social and personal factors, like low language skills and weak social networks.…”

“…In addition, the support of the community and integration programs are fundamental in facilitating this process (Ager & Strang, 2008; Castles et al, 2002; Mestheneos & Ioannidi, 2002; Papadopoulou et al, 2013; Phillimore & Goodson, 2008; Schibel et al, 2002). To such end, attention to the quality, sustainability and effectiveness of the integration measures and practices adopted is crucial to ensure that the desired results are achieved (Iglesias‐Martínez & Estrada, 2018; Papadopoulou et al, 2013).…”

“…The anti‐immigration discourse that has been generated across Europe, as well as the growing hostility towards refugees, which potentially threatens the stability of society, have placed the integration of newcomers as an important topic of public discussion (Hynie, 2018). There is evidence in several European countries that the integration of refugees is proving to be considerably difficult compared to the integration of other comparable migrants and that reception and integration systems need to be improved (Bredgaard & Thomsen, 2018; Fasani et al, 2018; Iglesias‐Martínez & Estrada, 2018). Facilitating refugees' ability to rebuild their lives benefits not only the refugees themselves but also the host society (Papadopoulou et al, 2013).…”

“…is evidence in several European countries that the integration of refugees is proving to be considerably difficult compared to the integration of other comparable migrants and that reception and integration systems need to be improved (Bredgaard & Thomsen, 2018;Fasani et al, 2018;Iglesias-Martínez & Estrada, 2018). Facilitating refugees' ability to rebuild their lives benefits not only the refugees themselves but also the host society (Papadopoulou et al, 2013).…”