Complex Closure
The current state of affairs in Germany regarding the movement of Syrian migrants is one of complex components and a questionable future. In order for any light to be shed on the topic, there must be effort from the sides of German government officials, German citizens, and international actors. There is a currently exists a lack of resources for the refugees, inconsistent goals and turmoil within the German government, mixed sentiment from the German citizens, and less than ideal help on part of surrounding nations. With the Syrian Civil War such a looming and endless ordeal, it can sometimes be difficult to assess how the global community can find solutions. However, the international community must keep an optimistic and logistically sound mind if the refugee crisis ever wishes to see a peaceful conclusion.
Current and future immigrants have much to fear about their lives in Germany. Anti-foreigner sentiment is on the rise in the nation. This is majorly due to the rapid influx of refugees now and to come. There is growing uncertainty among Germany’s current immigrant population.
According to the market-based research company YouGov, 40 percent of Germans with an immigrant background said they believed Berlin should take in fewer refugees. Nearly a quarter said it was time to stop all refugees from entering entirely. Even if other European Union nations, along with countries like Turkey, agree to take in more refugees on their own, this dent will not compare to the vast unpreparedness many feel Angela Merkel has thrust the country into in terms of the cultural and economic consequences of her open-door policy. There are simply not enough resources to comfortably house these incoming refugees; the Syrian’s standard of living will be far from what they deserve. The refugee crisis has led to a surge in xenophobic violence by groups which make few distinctions between established immigrant communities and new arrivals. This is a danger to both sides of the party, citizens and refugees. The largest immigrant group currently residing in Germany is the Turkish community. The line of failed integration runs deep with the Turkish immigrant groups. If A 2009 study from the Berlin Institute for Population and Development ranked Turks as the immigrant community least integrated into German society, particularly in education and the labor market. If this is any prediction of what is to come for the Syrian refugees, the future looks quite bleak.
Besides the issues facing current and future immigrants, the country of Germany and Merkel herself face numerous controversies. Although an open policy is admirable in a crisis such as the war in Syria, many difficulties come with up-keeping such an action. Merkel may have compromised her future political career, as she is facing sizeable backlash from her decision. She even seems to be peddling back a bit in her position with all her talk about sending refugees back and administering quotas. Germany as a nation is facing domestic turmoil, as the violent sentiment towards Syrian migrants is rising every day. In terms of what to do next, it is important for Germany to streamline its process in accepting asylum-seekers. The current system is very flawed and the amount of red-tape present is at an extremely inefficient level. Additionally, it is necessary for the international community to increase their efforts surrounding the issue. However, simply taking in more refugees is not enough to attack the topic as a whole. The Syrian Civil War has created turmoil that, as of now, may not be solvable in the near future. That is why it is important for both Germany and the global community to do everything in their capacity to ameliorate the consequences.
The future of Syrian migrants, in general and in Germany, is dependent on how much effort and compromise is incorporated into solving the issue. Although it falls on Germany’s hands to clean up its current domestic chaos, they are not the only nation dealing with incoming Syrian refugees. Other surrounding countries are experiencing an influx as well. This is an international issue, but it is not currently being treated as one. Germany’s open-door policy was a radical step towards fixing a much grander issue. Syrian refugees fleeing a country of violence and chaos should be able to escape to a life of peace, not more hatred. Actors on all sides must consolidate their goals and make this transition as efficient and beneficial as possible.
Sources:
In Germany, Immigrants Bristle at a New Generation
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-germany-sending-hundreds-of-asylum-seekers-back-to-austria-every-day-as-mood-shifts-a6807726.html
http://www.wsj.com/articles/germanys-merkel-expects-syrian-refugees-to-return-home-after-war-1454184419
