Managing immigration is one of the major challenges for the decentralized welfare state, and one in which integration policies play a central part. This book offers a sociological analysis of immigration law from a Spanish and European standpoint.

Much of its content comprises an integral, comparative analysis of the autonomous communities’ integration efforts, focusing on the different action areas (reception, education, employment, social services, health, participation, housing, awareness and equal opportunities) targeted by the twelve Regional Social Integration Plans currently in progress. As part of this discussion, it strives to elucidate the concept of social integration and how these plans are attempting to put it into practice.

It then looks in more detail at the Integration Plans of five of the regions with the largest immigrant populations, to determine whether there is such a thing as a distinctly Spanish immigration model, just as there are British, French and German models.

The book is aimed at both researchers in the field and all professionals working in the immigration area whether in government departments and agencies, NGOs or other independent organizations.