The intense discussion on whether Syrians should go back to their country to assist in rebuilding following over ten years of conflict is ca...
The intense discussion on whether Syrians should go back to their country to assist in rebuilding following over ten years of conflict is causing distress among those who arrived as refugees—and their children, most of whom were born in Germany.
Mama, are we returning to Syria now?
This is the question that children are beginning to ask at home, said lawyer Nahla Osman, as the societal discussion on whether Syrian refugees should return after almost 14 years of civil war has started to appear in schools and kindergartens. The lawyer from Hesse leads the board of the German Syrian Aid Association, an umbrella organization that represents numerous Syrian aid groups across Europe.
"Regrettably, we have learned that children are being told: 'You are Syrian, go back.' Several children are now hesitant to speak Arabic. However, on the other hand, there are also many neighbors, projects, and organizations who say 'You belong to Germany, we support you,' " Osman stated this week during an online press conference organized by Mediendienst Integration, a Berlin-based research platform for journalists focusing on migration, integration, and asylum.
Since the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, numerousGerman officials have been urging Syrians to depart from Germany.and rebuild their home country. Earlier this month, Jens Spahn, the leader of the governing conservative Union's parliamentary group (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union, CDU/CSU) in the Bundestag, compared it to Germany's reconstruction after World War II. According to Spahn, Syrian refugees had a responsibility and a "patriotic duty" to assist in restoring their homeland.
Nevertheless, Syrians residing in Germany encounter a challenging dilemma: should they choose to return to Syria to assess the conditions and consider their possibilities, they may risk losing their protected status in Germany. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has stated that Germany does not intend to permit any additional trial visits, noting that individuals can gather information about life there through their smartphones.
Can you return with the children? Can you go back if you're facing health problems? You can't make these decisions during a phone call with family," said Osman, who has visited Syria multiple times recently. "We need to concentrate on long-term and voluntary repatriation.
Approximately one million individuals from Syria reside in Germany.
As per Mediendienst Integration, out of approximately 948,000 Syrian nationals residing in Germany, around 667,000 hold temporary residence permits. Within this category, roughly 10,700 Syrians lack a valid residency status and are thus legally obligated to depart the country — representing slightly more than 1% of the overall number, according to data from the German government.
Since January, Syrians have managed to go back to their native countryunder a sponsorship initiative. The outcome: Approximately 2,900 individuals have accepted the opportunity — covering transportation expenses and initial monetary support.
Many Syrians have dedicated significant time and effort over the last decade to establish a new life for themselves in Germany. Going back would be another major disruption in their lives," noted Nora Ragab, a migration expert based in Berlin. "In Syria, you can't simply resume where you left off — your home might no longer exist, the economic conditions are extremely challenging, and violence persists in different areas. This entire conversation overlooks the hard work many individuals put in to arrive here and integrate into society.
Ragab has examined the growth of Syrian civil society after the downfall of dictator Bashar Assad, and has engaged with Syrians regarding the potential for returning. Her finding: Assisting in the country's reconstruction doesn't always mean relocating permanently. Temporary contributions are also valuable, such as doctors who go to Syria to conduct surgeries and aid in establishing the healthcare system.
Another point that is rarely mentioned in the discussion, stated Ragab, is the composition of the Syrian population in Germany. "More than a third are children and young people under 18. Therefore, there is a generation that has been fully integrated into German society," she added.
Eligibility of Syrian refugees for German citizenship under review
Karoline Popp, an expert from the Berlin-based Council for Integration and Migration, has also been closely monitoring the discussion regarding Syrians in Germany.
The political environment and the language used are experienced by the Syrian community. It is currently creating significant uncertainty. This sense of not belonging, regardless of how hard you work, even with a German passport," said Popp, one of the researchers behind a recent study titled "Diaspora and more. Civil society participation of Afghan and Syrian communities in Germany.
The likelihood of offending those actively involved in society and eager to take part is considerable.
The German government has increased the difficulty of acquiring citizenship. The so-calledfast-track naturalization, which enabled highly integrated foreigners to gain citizenship after just three years, was introduced by the previous center-left administration, and has now been abolished. Conservative politicians also aim to revoke dual citizenship for individuals who have committed offenses, and dual citizenship should once again be an exception.
Nevertheless, Popp is advocating for a new perspective. She mentioned that a stable residency status or dual citizenship might be a crucial factor in allowing the displaced community to engage with the evolving nation.
"A clear relationship exists between citizenship and returning," stated Popp, noting that this link is not being acknowledged by decision-makers.
This piece was initially composed in German.
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Author: Oliver Pieper
