Introduction

The role of social networks in the life of immigrants has been a highly debated topic highlighting the importance of cultural and social capital, both for migration as well as for the social orientation and integration of immigrants in the countries of destination (Castles and Miller, 2009, pp 27-30). More recently, the concept of transnationalism has come to the attention of the international academic community, highlighting the global character of migration movements and of their social networks. In this context, transnationalism requires the development of new ways of studying the integration of immigrants (Faist, 2000; Kivisto, 2003; Castles and Miller, 2009). Not denying the important role of global migrant networks for the integration of immigrants, this chapter concentrates only on local immigrant communities and their role in the life of immigrants. Furthermore, its aim is not simply to emphasise the importance as well as the ambiguities of the role played by local immigrant communities, but also to build a bridge between the study of welfare rights of immigrants and a broader investigation of the impact of rising ethnic (and religious) diversity in contemporary welfare state development. Generally speaking, there are two ways of studying the social position of immigrants. The first is based on an approach that looks at differences of social or welfare status of immigrants in comparison to non-migrants, such as in the fields of unemployment, poverty or different benefit recipients (Hatton and Williamson, 2005; OECD, 2007; Castles and Miller, 2009; Koopmans, 2010). An extension of this approach concerns the question of the general social features that influence differences, and more specifically the impact of welfare state models. The most interesting point to note in this respect is the existence of intra-regime variations (see Morissens and Sainsbury, 2005; Banting and Kymlicka, 2006). The second approach is more focused on the issue of increasing diversity, multiculturalism and the welfare state. The crucial question here concerns the possible trade-off between diversity and solidarity (see, for example, Taylor-Gooby, 2005; Banting and Kymlicka, 2006). This is part of a more general discussion of how to deal with ethnic, religious and cultural differences in contemporary European societies, and the ways in which immigration and integration policies are formulated.