NCJ Number
197562
Date Published
2002
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines trends in immigration patterns in European countries and the rationale underlying increases in hate violence and pogrom-like attacks on immigrants.
Abstract
During the 1950's and 1960's in western Europe, immigration was almost exclusively the result of active labor recruitment or a consequences of post-colonial relationships. Currently, immigration is predominantly triggered by military conflicts, civil wars, and the rapid processes of economic and cultural transformation in third world countries. Immigration perceived as a social, economic, political, and criminal problem gained momentum as a result of the socio-political and economic changes that have affected eastern Europe, as well as the opening up of the formerly tightly controlled borders between western and central European countries. Newly arrived immigrants are particularly at risk for hate violence as they become linked with organized crime and drug trafficking. This reflects the changing roles played by new immigrants. From the outset of their entry, they have a precarious status of illegal immigrant, refugee, or asylum seeker, all of which carry a high risk of criminalization; however, the response of criminal justice systems has been selective, targeting illicit drug markets and drug offenders. Moreover, newly arrived immigrants do not apparently fall into the same category of offender group as those who are eligible for alternatives to detention and imprisonment. Newly arrived immigrants, therefore, compose a large percentage of the prison population. Administrative responses also seem to have become more important than criminal justice responses, as have the links between the criminal justice and immigration systems through which the physical exclusion of immigrants is organized in many European countries. 4 figures, 2 notes, and 44 references