Repatriation to Syria: Are refugees now at risk of losing their protection status?

Repatriation to Syria: Are refugees now at risk of losing their protection status?

The debate about the repatriation of Syrian refugees in Germany is becoming increasingly louder. On Thursday, AfD politician Gottfried Curio commented on the current refugee numbers and the situation in Syria. The pressure on the political landscape is increasing because the topic of “population exchange through immigration” has been taken up not only by the AfD but also by other political actors since the refugee crisis in 2015. Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD, is known for her derogatory statements about migrants. In addition, former leading figures such as André Poggenburg used foul language for Syrian migrants, which further clouds the picture.

The latest developments show that the Federal Ministry of the Interior has begun to revoke the protection status for certain Syrian refugees. This particularly affects criminals and dangerous people, such as n-tv reported. Between January and May 2025, over 3,500 revocation proceedings were initiated on Syrian nationals, with refugee status being revoked in some cases.

Changing situation in Syria

The civil war in Syria, which has plagued people since 2011, officially came to an end on December 8, 2024, when the regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by rebels led by the Islamist militia Hajat Tahrir al-Sham. Ahmed al-Sharaa announced himself as interim president; the first elections have already been held. Despite these developments, the humanitarian situation remains alarming. Loud bpb 7.4 million children are dependent on help and a third of the population lives in extreme poverty.

The security situation remains tense and hopes for a timely return of refugees have been dampened by recent violent conflicts and massacres. Since the end of the regime, many of the previous reasons for the protection status of many Syrian nationals have been considered questionable. According to UNHCR, there are currently no conditions for repatriation and one million returnees from neighboring countries are forecast for the first half of 2025.

Integration and perspectives

The integration of Syrian refugees is a central issue in Germany. At the end of 2023, around 712,000 Syrians seeking protection were recorded in the central register of foreigners. Of these, 88% had recognized protection status and around 287,000 Syrians were employed, corresponding to an employment rate of 41.7%. What is particularly noteworthy is that Syrians make up the largest group of foreign doctors working in Germany.

However, political opinions on the repatriation plans differ. While the Union faction supports the return of refugees to their homeland, the Greens and the Left express concerns and call for permanent prospects of staying. The migration policy spokeswoman for the Left Party emphasizes that Syria remains untenable for a safe return.

The discussion about the return of Syrian refugees to Germany is characterized by emotional arguments and concrete political-administrative decisions. Given the complex situation in the homeland of these refugees and their integration in Germany, the topic will probably remain the focus for a long time.