Integration Policies and Real Integration : A study of Moroccan immigrants in the Valencian Community in Spain

Abstract: The research on the integration of immigrants has become important during the last decades and the ways of measuring the integration of immigrants became more specific and specialized. In this study, the integration of Moroccan immigrants in the Valencian Autonomous Community of Spain was selected, considering that it is one of the most numerous foreign conglomerates and the one that contribute most to the economy of the Valencian Community.   The study aims to investigate whether Moroccan immigrants are integrated into the Valencian Community and what is the role of government integration plans to achieve this integration. This study was divided into two stages, first, an analysis of the plans to know the rights and guarantees of Moroccan immigrants in the Valencian Community and second, a field study where Moroccan immigrants were interviewed to know their level of interaction with the host society.   The study takes the Spencer and Charsley Domain Model, to analyze the integration processes of Moroccan immigrants through different domains, such as social, structural, cultural, civic, or in relation to identity. During fieldwork, interviews were conducted using specific measurement indicators, such as the level of participation in the labor market, access to training and education, the level of social interaction with the community, the change of values or in their lifestyle and the sense of belonging to the host country, among others. Also, the gender and age of the immigrants were considered.   The study concludes that the integration plans have an important role in the integration process by providing an equal opportunity base for immigrants. However, Moroccan immigrants, have weak ties at a cultural and social level with Spain, despite expressing their willingness to stay in Spain.