Refugees and Integration: A Berlin Family Report after 10 Years”

Refugees and Integration: A Berlin Family Report after 10 Years”

On September 1, 2025, we will look back on a far-reaching topic that has been affecting Germany for years: refugee migration. In the summer of 2015, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel took a bold step and opened the borders to refugees. Their famous phrase “We can do it!” became a symbol of a turbulent political era. Deutschlandfunk reports that Merkel did not formulate any concrete measures, but rather took a stance that elicited both approval and massive criticism.

The decision had far-reaching consequences: From 2015 to 2016, Germany accepted around 1.2 million asylum seekers. Since then, a total of around 1.8 million refugees have been registered in Germany. However, despite initial support, political sentiment towards migration has faltered. As Wiadomości reports, the number of people who feel welcome in Germany has increased from 84% in 2016 to 65% in the year decreased in 2023. In addition, 40% of the population now has a negative attitude towards accepting more refugees.

The personal perspective of a committed person

Anna Alboth, a Polish woman living in Berlin-Pankow, experienced the refugee crisis first hand when she returned home in the summer of 2015 and saw thousands of people camping in front of the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso). During this time, she not only exposed her humanitarian spirit but also decided to welcome refugees into her home. DW says that the Alboth family initially considered hosting a family with children, but then decided on a single man. They took in three refugees, including two young Afghans and a Syrian man in his fifties named Akil.

Akil took on a kind of grandfather role for Anna's daughters and tried to gain a foothold in Germany despite numerous hurdles. The integration of refugees is complicated, especially for older people. Many young refugees have better chances for a new life. Alboth, who collected sleeping bags and winter clothing in relief efforts, found that the majority of people she came into contact with were trying to contribute to society, which runs counter to the often negative news coverage.

Current situation and social debate

The numbers speak for themselves. According to Wiadomości, 360,000 refugees are fully integrated into working life, while 55,000 are stuck in training programs. Despite an increase in refugee numbers, there is also an increase in violence against refugees and increasing support for far-right parties such as the AfD. The political discussion has largely revolved around topics such as integration and the costs of refugee policy. In the five years since 2015 alone, the costs amounted to around 87 billion euros, and the federal budget increased significantly during the same period.

With the increased polarization in society in recent years, it is questionable how the magic formula “We can do it!” will develop in the political discourse and in the everyday lives of refugees. While Alboth and many other true supporters are keen on integration, the path to get there is certainly anything but easy and requires more than just will and courage.