Visiting Scholar to Discuss Immigrants and Europe’s Criminal Economies

CLAREMONT, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2004) – Throughout Europe, immigration has been politically associated with crime. Some argue that such an association can be attributed to xenophobic, radical right parties. However, recent statistics have shown that immigrant involvement in criminal activities has increased.

Professor Harlan Koff’s talk, “Integration or Marginalization? Immigrant Involvement in Europe’s Criminal Economies,” will examine the participation of immigrants in the criminal economies of Italy and France and analyze the nature of these markets. Does immigrant participation indicate social exclusion, as most scholars and politicians suggest, or is it actually a demonstration of economic integration?

Harlan Koff is a visiting assistant professor at Pitzer College. He conducts research on comparative ethnic politics, especially immigration politics, and international human rights. He is the coordinator of migration programs for Ethnobarometer, a foundation in Rome, Italy, that sponsors research on ethnic politics in Europe.

The event, which will be at 12:15 p.m. March 9, in the McConnell Living Room of Pitzer’s McConnell Center, is part of the Spring 2004 Speaker Program of the European Center of California. The center is an intercollegiate institution of the Claremont Colleges. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the website of the European Union Center of California or call Martina Ebert, Administrative Director, at 607-8103.

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