In this timely collection of essays, leading American and German scholars analyse immigrant incorporation into the welfare state from a comparative economic, social, and political viewpoint by applying data from the 1980s and 1990s. New insights are revealed into how ethnic stratification and socioeconomic integration is promoted by specific programs and other institutionalized policies in education, labour markets, and welfare. This volume will be an important resource not only to scholars and students in economics and the social and political sciences, but also for professionals in education, social work, journalism, politics, and community groups.