As a result, there are more than 1.3 million Syrians currently living in Germany. This dynamic community is made up of about 25,000 US-born people. During the refugee crisis of 2015-2016, nearly one million Syrians fled to find asylum. Their integration journey has been rich and profound. Settlement Agreement, Germany is still wrestling with immigration policies. Recent proposals for repatriating Syrian migrants have raised fears among them about their own futures in the country.
Germany’s health sector moonlights due to more than 6,000 Syrian doctors. These committed individuals form the backbone of our healthcare system, ensuring that life-saving care reaches those who need it most. Today, thousands of Syrians have acquired different legal statuses in Germany — from German citizenship to permanent residence permits. By the end of 2023, more than 160,000 Syrians have successfully received German citizenship. Yet, hundreds of thousands continue to live with temporary residence permits, which give them the right to work and access government benefits.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other members of the conservative coalition are making their move. Now faced with a changed reality, they are increasingly calling for the repatriation of Syrians. Merz has suggested that those who refuse to return voluntarily “can, of course, be deported in the near future.” The German government wants voluntary repatriation to be the first option, but skepticism remains about how realistic that will be.
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, highlighted the severe devastation in Syria, likening it to “images we saw from Germany in 1945 after World War II.” To that skepticism, I would add the question of how many Syrian migrants would want to go back home under the current circumstances in Syria. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has consistently pushed for the return of Syrians since the fall of Assad’s regime, securing a notable second-place finish in Germany’s federal election in February with a strong anti-migration platform.
“We must ask whether the country is moving toward a state that mirrors European and specifically German values, respecting freedoms and human principles, or whether dictatorship and a new totalitarian religious system are simply being reproduced under a different name.” – A retired engineer
This political climate has encouraged backlash from all sectors—encompassing legislators, voters, businesses, and other advocacy groups. Lamya Kaddor, a member of Germany’s Green Party, argues that the proposed repatriation plans could have dire consequences for the country’s healthcare system. She stated that believing mass deportations to Syria are feasible “underestimates the reality on the ground.”
Opponents of repatriation argue the positive contributions and integration efforts of many Syrian migrants. Dawoud, a vocal critic of these plans, stated, “Talking about sending back people who have been trying to integrate, who see Germany as their second or even first and only home, who actively contribute to this society and economy, well that’s an absolute disgrace.”
The right-wing AfD party is equally uncompromising on migration. Their unusual at times, but virulent, anti-immigrant ideologies even lead them to declare outright that “Islam has no place in Germany.” This rhetoric has tapped into a real anxiety with a sizeable swathe of the American public – namely, the fear that immigration will bring cultural dilution and economic hardship.
Conservative Friedrich Merz recognized the difficulties that his federal government had controlling integration policies at the municipal level. He conceded that “we clearly did not manage it. That is exactly why we’re trying to fix it.” Critics are warning that Merz’s remarks could incite dangerous right-wing feelings. This would potentially foster a hostile environment for those who do not meet this very specific definition of belonging to Germany.
“Merz’s comments are heading in a direction that fuels right-wing desires to deport anyone who doesn’t fit their so-called idea of who belongs in Germany and that’s terrifying.” – Rafif Dawoud
As conversations play out in the political arena, nothing is certain for the thousands of Syrians calling Germany home. The government continues to prioritise voluntary repatriation. That doesn’t always line up with the needs and aspirations of the people who can’t wait to settle down and be welcomed in their new home. While some may consider returning to Syria amidst ongoing turmoil, others view Germany as an integral part of their identity.
