The Future of Migration and Integration Policy in Germany

Since 2000, the German government has undertaken a series of steps to reform laws and shape public opinion in order to bring about better integration and managed migration. This can be said to constitute a new policy paradigm, the goal of which is to integrate nonnationals and promote harmonious community relations. This new paradigm also involves controlled, small-scale labor migration of third-country nationals.

The policy shift ended a longstanding public and political pretense that Germany “is not a country of immigration.” The reality, based on 2005 micro census data, is that just under one-fifth of the overall population is of immigrant origin. Despite this considerable progress, the German government still must address policy gaps in three main areas in order to effectively reform its migration and integration systems to meet the needs of the 21^st century: Integration and social cohesion; equality for third-country nationals; and modern labor migration policies.