ICAR

Citizenship

Becoming a citizen of the host country has traditionally been seen as the last stop on a refugee's journey,a definitive moment in reaching sanctuary.  But since 2005 refugee status by itself has no longer meant permanent right to residence in the United Kingdom - the gateway to citizenship. Likewise citizenship legislation has been driven in recent years by the concept of "earned citizenship", and refugees have not been immune to this trend. At the same time, the protection traditionally offered by citizenship has itself been brought into question.

This briefing highlights how refugees have historically been at the centre of policy, debate and social mobilisation around citizenship. It also examines specific paths and barriers to citizenship for refugees and the substantive meaning of citizenship in the light of contemporary UK and European Union policy. It highlights some of the key debates around these issues and relevant research, and signposts the reader to further resources.

Last Updated: 14/05/10

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