This project aims to work out a normative perspective from which a democratic state such as the UK should tackle the issue of immigration.

Currently, the lively political debate is mainly couched in terms of the economic costs and benefits of immigration, and focuses on the total number of people entering.

Though these are relevant questions, they are not the only ones. For example, they do not look at different categories of immigrants – e.g. refugees, economic migrants, and people with particular claims for admission, such as retired Gurkhas. Nor do they tackle issues of principle, such as whether refusing an immigrant admission might in some circumstances be a violation of her human rights; or what are admissible criteria by which to select immigrants.

Finally, the question of immigrant admission must be linked to the question of immigrant integration – what legal and other obligations can reasonably be placed on immigrants as a means of integrating them into the host society, eventually as full citizens.

This project has already resulted in academic papers and presentations, and ultimately will lead to the publication of a new book, due to be completed by the end of 2014.