Explaining Inequality in the Implemtation of Asylum Law

Abstract

The goal of this research was to identify factors that account for procedural and substantive inequality in implementing asylum law. The decisions of ninety-eight caseworkers of the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service on an asylum application were related to their answers on a questionnaire. Caseworkers differ in the extent of available information on an asylum application they take for granted and in their final decisions on it. These differences result from work pressure, the caseworkers’ reputation, their role definition, political opinion, and professional background, and policy. Intensifying feedback and decreasing work pressure can achieve more consistent and careful decisions.