MIGRATION POLICY AND POLITICS IN THE RECEIVING STATES

A survey of the politics of immigration in the major receiving states shows a strong pattern of restrictionism in the face of unprecedented pressures for entry, but also amnesties, exceptions on humanitarian gr ounds, and hesitation to enforce the law. As individual states founder , multilateral strategies abound, but with scant success. The immigrat ion crisis impedes EC progress toward the single market and contribute s to opposition to the Maastricht Treaty. Ironically, the failure of s tates to deal with the crisis may reinforce national prerogatives and capacities with respect to immigration and strengthen rather than erod e the distinction between economic migrants and refugees.