This volume investigates how immigration challenges the traditional authority, sovereignty, and citizenship frameworks of Western nation-states. Christian Joppke, a prominent scholar in the field of migration studies, compiles research from leading experts to analyze the intersection of global migration patterns and domestic state integrity. The book argues that immigration acts as a catalyst for re-evaluating the boundaries of state power, specifically examining how the influx of foreign populations forces a reconfiguration of legal and social membership within the United States and Western Europe.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the structural tensions between global migration and the modern nation-state. Scholars frequently cite the book for its clear organization and its ability to bridge the gap between sovereignty studies and citizenship theory.