Syrian refugees in Germany are facing pressure to return
Syrian refugees in Germany are facing increasing pressure to consider returning to their homeland after more than a decade of civil war. This discussion raises concerns among refugees and their children, many of whom were born and raised in Germany.
Lawyer Nahla Osman, chairwoman of the German Association for Syrian Aid, said that children have started asking at home whether they will be sent to Syria. Some are even hesitant to speak Arabic, reflecting the tension between societal pressures and local support networks that affirm their status in Germany.
Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, some German politicians, including Jens Spahn from the Christian Democratic Union / Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), have called on Syrians to fulfill a "national" duty to help rebuild their country. However, returning could jeopardize their protected status in Germany, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that exploratory trips would not be permitted, suggesting that refugees use their phones to assess the situation remotely.
Approximately 948,000 Syrians currently live in Germany, of whom about 667,000 hold temporary residence permits. Only a small group lacks legal status, and most cannot be deported due to illness or lack of documents. Since January, the support program available for voluntary return has assisted about 2,900 Syrians with travel costs and initial financial aid.
Experts warned that permanent return is not the only way to contribute. Nora Rajab, a migration researcher, mentioned that many have built new lives in Germany, and the unstable situation in Syria makes relocation difficult. Temporary contributions, such as doctors traveling to provide medical care, are also valuable. More than a third of the Syrian population in Germany is under 18, making the issue of integration and continuing life in Germany a critical matter.
Researchers like Caroline Bob point out that tightening citizenship laws in Germany increases uncertainty among Syrians, which may deter them from civic participation. She emphasizes that secure residency status or dual citizenship can help refugees fully engage in German society with the possibility of future involvement in Syria.