The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) in France and the United States of America was published in March 2013 and it updates the profile of the two states in terms of migration policies, until January 1st 2013. The study focused on the effects of the procedure to obtain citizenship on the life and integration perspectives for the newly arrived immigrants, in each of the two countries.

Regarding France, the period included in MIPEX covers the last governing years of Nicolas Sarkozy and the first governing months of François Hollande. “As of 2012, the new government eliminated a few of the restrictions, it improved the specific education measures for newly arrived students and promised to implement key reforms in the future”, states the MIPEX report. Despite these measures, France continues to have one of the most restrictive integration policies from the European countries of immigration.

According to the report, from 2008 to 2011, France granted fewer seasonal work permits, gave green light in fewer cases of family reunion, especially for non-EU citizens. However, the phenomenon of immigration for highly qualified workers and students saw a slight increase. On the MIPEX scale, France received the following percentages, in the 7 areas of envisaged policies: antidiscrimination 77%, family reunion 52%, labour market mobility 49%, education 35%, political involvement 44%, and long-term residence 46%. “Aliens are still waiting for a secure legal status and the right to vote at local level. On the path to becoming citizens, they face some of the most exigent and discretionary requirements in Europe”, states the report.

In the United States, the policies did not change since 2010, maintaining the same trend slightly favourable to immigration and integration of immigrants with legal stay.
The situation of the United States of America, from the MIPEX perspective, is different from that of France, similar percentages being given only for political involvement: 45% in USA and 44% in France. On the MIPEX scale, USA has better percentages for antidiscrimination policies 89% and family reunion 67%, labour market mobility 68%, education 55% and long-term residence 50%. However, it is true that volunteering and community organizations in the US have been actively involved in the immigrant integration process, while the government has been involved in the family reunion process. MIPEX ascertains that as of 2010 there are no major changes in the national integration policies in America, although they continue to be “slightly favourable for the immigrants with legal status, enabling them to participate in the society and become citizens with full rights”. The immigrants who receive a legal status in the USA have a good chance to live with their family and to find a job, but not as good as the American citizens. Concerning the issue of antidiscrimination, the United States of America are ranked among the first countries in the top of the 31 participating states, next to Canada.

The conclusion of the study is that the restrictions imposed to immigrants concerning the eligibility for obtaining citizenship (e.g. mandatory legal stay period), legal requirements (knowledge of the language, applied tests), as well as transparency of the procedure and costs have a negative impact on the integration perspective of the newcomers. If provided with reasonable conditions for obtaining the long-residence right and the citizenship, immigrants are better motivated to continue their education, find a job and get involved civically and politically. The effects of these policies favourable to integration will reflect at economic level, through the contributions of the naturalized immigrants to the labour market.

Source: Migrant Integration Policy Index “Paving the way for integration: the pathways to citizenship in France and the United States” http://www.mipex.eu/mipex-blog-new-country-profiles-france-and-us