Cultural and identity security: immigrants and the legal expression of national identity

One of the most recurring themes about immigrants in Western Europe is their effect on national culture and identity. When anti immigrant parties gain votes in Member States one of the enduring responses is to question the role of immigrants themselves in eliciting their separation from the main stream community. The call for more and better integration of immigrants into the mainstream community is heard across Europe. In this essay I will consider some of the aspects of immigration and national identity in particular as these are reflected in Europe.