International Migration
Volume 54, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 118-132

The asylum-integration paradox: Comparing asylum support systems and refugee integration in the Netherlands and the UK (Article)

Bakker L. , Cheung S.Y. , Phillimore J.
  • a Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • b Cardiff University, United Kingdom
  • c University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Abstract

This article explores the impact of asylum support systems on refugee integration focusing on the UK and the Netherlands. Both have adopted deterrent approaches to asylum support. The Dutch favour the use of asylum accommodation centres, segregating asylum seekers from the general population. The UK disperses asylum seekers to housing within deprived areas, embedding them within communities. Both countries have been criticized for these practices, which are viewed as potentially anti-integrative: something of a paradox given that both promote the importance of refugee integration. We analyse national refugee integration surveys in both countries and provide original empirical evidence of negative associations between asylum support systems and refugees’ health, which differ in relation to mental and physical health. The integration and asylum policy implications of these findings are discussed. © 2016 The Authors. International Migration.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

international migration United Kingdom Netherlands refugee asylum seeker

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978127501&doi=10.1111%2fimig.12251&partnerID=40&md5=960fb929cc3355776248d7e1773f46ec

DOI: 10.1111/imig.12251
ISSN: 00207985
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English