Rights or Identity? Naturalization Processes among “Labor Migrants” in Germany

Abstract

The determinants of the decision to naturalize for first and second generation “labor migrants” in Germany are examined. We assume that Turkish migrants' comparatively high naturalization rate cannot be explained by the legal advantages they gain by naturalizing. We argue instead that naturalization offers an opportunity for individual upward mobility to Turkish migrants who have achieved a high level of individual assimilation. Using data from the GSOEP, we show that individual assimilation does in fact promote naturalization for Turkish migrants, but not for members of other ethnic groups, which generally have higher status within German society.

Migration and Citizenship : Legal Status, Rights and Political Participation

“…The question whether or not socio-cultural characteristics (a sense of belonging, social networks etc.) are important for naturalisation decisions has been studied only to a limited extent (but see Diehl & Blohm 2003). Finally, to what extent citizenship impacts on political views, migrants' interest in politics and political participation is a question difficult to answer (see for some evidence on this issue text box 3 above).…”

“…requires additional data not easily available in most European countries. Thus, for European countries as a whole, there are only a very limited number of studies that analyse the relationship between immigrants' characteristics and their naturalisation behaviour in more detail (see for example Diehl & Blohm 2003).…”

“…Among the factors that may be important are immigration history, i.e. the time of migrants' arrival in their country of residence; socio-demographic characteristics such as sex, age, occupational status and place of birth (in country or abroad); migrants' future migration plans; knowledge about options to naturalise; the presence of emotional, social or family ties to the country of residence and country of origin (see Diehl & Blohm 2003); a desire for political participation in the country of residence that depends strongly on the political opportunity structure; and the influence of ethnic networks and elites on migrants' political choices.…”

Citizenship and Educational Attainment amongst the Second Generation: An Analysis of Children of Immigrants in Finland

“…What is more, Euwals and colleagues (2010) argue that amongst some 6 groups, those acquiring citizenship may be negatively selected in terms of their employment situation if it is the most vulnerable groups who aim for a more protected position in society. Diehl and Blohm (2003) also argue that whether or not citizenship reflects greater integration is group specific and dependent on how different groups are accepted into the mainstream in other ways, most notably employment opportunities.…”

The Dynamics of International Migration and Settlement in Europe : A State of the Art

“…Among the characteristics of migrants themselves that influence their decision to naturalise are the time of residence, socio-demographic characteristics such as sex, age, occupational status and place of birth (in country or abroad) as well as future migration plans, knowledge about naturalisation options and the presence of emotional, social or family ties to the country of residence and country of origin (see Diehl & Blohm 2003). Such decisions are also not purely individual ones, but are often taken collectively within a family and they may be strongly influenced by attitudes within an ethnic community.…”