Word Use: Integration vs. Assimilation

Photograph by Alex Cardenas

Within the discourse of immigration and the discussion of migrants, often the terms integration and assimilation can be falsely used as interchangeable ideas.  Interestingly enough, it was explained to us that within the Polish context this might not necessarily be true.  Having spoken with Ms Aleksandra Chrzanowska (Association for Legal Intervention) and Ms Katarzyna Kubin (Foundation for Social Diversity) on the status of refugees and migrants, it seemed that inclusion certainly prevailed – at least in terms of EU directives.  As one of our guest speakers mentioned, it has been her experience working in Poland that most working in her field understand the goal of addressing migrants as one of integrating newcomers.  She further explained that to attempt to assimilate a migrant would not allow for a mutual exchange of ideas between the country receiving the migrants and the migrants themselves.  In her opinion, integration was preferred to assimilation given the higher likelihood that a multi-cultural society could be developed from the observance of the “foreign” culture and its potential attributes.  

This is particularly interesting to me given my understanding of how immigrants are received into the United States – where discussions are centered much more on how particular immigrant communities are assimilating to “American” ideology and norms.  The idea that migrants could be regarded as carrying with them positive cultural and social attributes, as mentioned by our guest speaker, is worth further thinking about.  Especially when paired with the question: who is responsible for making sure that this mutual integration process actually makes for a positive experience for both parties? 

Much too often migrants are regarded with xenophobic sentiments for the very reason that they bring new possibilities as to our understanding of normative actions and behaviors.  As mentioned in the different talks from the day, a proper integration process makes for a better situation in which there is respect paid to the migrant’s background, while at the same time, affording them enough skills and opportunities to become economically empowered members of the society that has now become their home.  It seems that in Poland governments are currently responsible for ensuring that migrants be fully integrated through various programs, but can this also occur at the level of NGO’s?  While I am not entirely sure of the answer to this, I am sure of the fact that all players have a role in this process.  From the NGO’s that advocate for more migrant rights and opportunities, to the most local player who simply interacts with their new neighbors and begins the process of social inclusion.  

Photograph by Alex Cardenas

Comparing the discussion on migrants (both those who have been forced and those who willingly migrated) with Ms Aleksandra Chrzanowska and Ms Katarzyna Kubin between our second presentation with Ms Joanna Garnier (La Strada Foundation), it would seem that on the ground, much more has to be done towards inclusion.  Ms Joanna Garnier quickly made mention that many gaps exist in Polish law for the protection of those who arrive in this country through human trafficking means.  One of the gaps she mentioned was that the law currently favors employers over workers.  She gave us the example of reported employers who are fined for contracting illegal workers, but in actuality, the fine is still much smaller than the cost of hiring workers legally.       

Perhaps the comments relayed to our group on the different understandings of integration and assimilation may have been biased through our particular speakers, but the idea of embracing the migrant experience as one of integration and not of assimilation presents a good lesson to how we further understand the changing landscape of human mobilization across different nation states. 

- Alex Cárdenas (US Fellow)