Contemporary immigration policy orientations among dominant-group members in Western Europe

Predictors of immigration policy attitudes were investigated among members of receiving societies in large national probability samples in 15 Western European countries. We found that a considerable proportion of the variatio n in immigration policy orientations toward outgroups could be explained by self- and group interests and independent measures of perceived threat. Se lf-reported racism also contributed independently and significantly to thes e policy positions. It was concluded that a general framework of proximal s elf- and group-position indicators (Allport, 1954), perceived threat, and p rejudice/racism was useful in predicting the immigrant policy orientations of dominant members of receiving societies across Western Europe. The meani ng of these findings for future research on immigration policy, orientation s across, and especially within, European countries is discussed.