This book examines the role and impact of EU, international human rights and refugee law on national laws and policies for integration and argues for a broad understanding of the relationship between integration and the law. It analyses the legal foundations of integration at the international and regional levels and examines the interaction of national, EU and international legal spheres, highlighting the significance of these dimensions of the relationship between integration and the law. The book draws together these central themes to enhance our understanding of the connections between integration and the law. It also makes specific recommendations for the development of holistic, human-rights based approaches to integration in EU Member States. The book will be of value to academics and researchers working in the areas of immigration, and refugee law, as well as those interested in cultural diversity both from a legal and sociological perspective.

A practical guide to assist legislators and legal practitioners in facilitating the reunification of refugee and migrant children with their families As a result of the sharp increase in the refugee and migrant population in recent years, many children and their families have experienced family separation. Member states are bound by various obligations related to family reunification, and the practical reunification of refugee and migrant children with their family members has proved complex. This handbook is a practical guide both to key legal standards and to promising practices in the field of family reunification and restoring family links. This publication is conceived as a point of reference for capacity-building material, technical assistance, co-operation projects and new practices for and with relevant authorities and institutions. It focuses on the reunification of families with children in the context of international migration, and in particular on reunification possibilities for unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children. It presents an overview of legal principles of human rights, children’s rights, refugee law and EU law relevant to family reunification and then discusses key features of family reunification procedures, with promising examples of law and practice and relevant applicable standards. The handbook contributes to achieving the objectives of the Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019).

This monograph examines the intricate legislative and jurisprudential scenario of family reunification between EU citizens and third country nationals that has developed in the European Union over the last 50 years. Focusing on family residence rights granted to third country national family members of EU citizens, it examines one of the largest sectors affected with over two hundred thousand permits granted each year. In addition to its practical significance, the field has been the object of a lively debate, which has yet to be systematically analysed. Using a historical approach, it illustrates the development of the legislation and of the case law on the issue considering the factors that influenced the choices of the EU Legislator and of the Court over the years. It also suggests what future path the Court could take when deciding on cases in the field in order to reinforce the protection of families. This important research ensures full understanding of the EU legislation and of the Court's jurisprudence and allows for its correct application by Member States.

This book provides a multi-disciplinary investigation of family reunification laws, policies and practices across the European Union. Family reunification – the possibility for family members to (re)unite in a country where one of them is residing – has been high on the political agenda. Building on original empirical research with families and practitioners as well as in-depth doctrinal analyses, the book explores the fragmentation of legal rules, the gaps between formal regulations and practices, and their consequences for families across borders. Different contributions in the volume point to the growing inequalities among and within applicant families, based on residence status, gender, location, citizenship and socio-economic resources, due to the family reunification regimes currently in place.The book enhances interdisciplinary dialogue by providing clear insights into the specific contribution of migration law, private international law and social scientific analyses to the study of family reunification. The book is aimed at researchers working on the topic of family reunification, as well as students of law and socio-legal studies and practitioners in the field of migration.