ABSTRACT
Michael Bommes was one of the most innovative and profound theorists of immigration and integration of our time. His work drew on the systems theory of Niklas Luhmann to develop a highly compelling and sophisticated alternative to predominant contributions in migration studies. His writing constantly questions and challenges mainstream theories and concepts in migration studies, from notions of assimilation and transnationalism, to multiculturalism and discrimination, irregular migration and migrant networks. But equally important is his attempt to advance sociological research through the lens of immigration. His repeated assertion is that immigration has had major consequences for modern social systems and welfare states, and that understanding these impacts needs to be a central question not just for migration scholars, but for sociologists more generally.
