This book offers a critical account of studies of local immigration policy and a relational
approach to explain its emergence variation and effects in a context of interdependence and
globalization. The author emphasizes the horizontal interactions between local governments and
vertical interactions between local and national levels of government as well as international
interactions. Everywhere in the world a growing number of cities are faced with challenges and
opportunities brought by immigration. While some local governments have welcomed immigrants and
promoted their social inclusion others have actively prevented their arrival and settlement.
Most studies emphasize the role of local conditions in the making and implementation of local
immigration policy but this book argues that broader processes- such as inter-governmental
relations economic globalization and international institutions- are crucial.
