This book develops an exploratory theory of immigration in multilevel states addressing two themes: governance and political parties.

It explores the theoretical debate over how to reconcile multiculturalism, citizenship and the need for a collective identity within the European Union. It examines not only how, and by whom, immigration policy is decided and implemented at different levels, but also how it has become a key-issue of party politics. It explores the steps taken by EU institutions towards creating a European identity and fostering a sense of citizenship and collective heritage.

It studies the theory of how best to reconcile multiculturalism, citizenship and the need for collective identity at the European Union (EU) level by comparing EU citizenship with cultural citizenship and multicultural studies in the United States. In addition to this, through the study of EU documents, the author contends that there exists such a thing as policies of multicultural citizenship at the European Union level.