Syrian Arrivals Surge in Brandenburg, According to Interior Department Data
An investigation by the Ministry of the Interior in Potsdam reveals that a staggering 1,883 Syrian individuals have safely joined their family members in Brandenburg by the end of September this year, uncovering a higher-than-anticipated influx from the war-torn country. This revelation, disclosed in response to queries posed by state parliament member Andrea Johlige (Left Party), underscores the significant impact of a decade-long state program that has welcomed Syrians to Germany.
While Integration Commissioner Doris Lemmermeier initially cited a figure of 964 Syrian entrances this past October, the Ministry's latest findings expose a more substantial figure, which raises curiosity and sparks discussions about the policies governing migration to Brandenburg. The Interior Minister, Michael Stübgen (CDU), has expressed his intention to discontinue the country's admission regulations for Syrian refugees, which were enacted in 2013, by the year's end.
Recent circumstances have necessitated the reevaluation of the conditions required for Syrian families to reunite with their relatives in Brandenburg. According to the Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior, as of 2023, local authorities are obligated to prove that a family's exodus from Syria was the result of both the civil war and a critical emergency situation. However, it is challenging or even impossible to verify such circumstances in numerous cases.
Commissioner Lemmermeier has expressed her concerns about the program's termination, citing its beneficial impact in bringing many Syrians to safety in their families' company. According to Lemmermeier, municipalities have incurred no financial burden, and the state's costs have been manageable, advocating for an extension of the program for an additional year.
However, the Interior Minister's position appears steadfast, and Commissioner Lemmermeier voices her doubts about inducing a change of heart. "Attempts to influence the minister and others have been made through various channels," Lemmermeier asserts, but is not optimistic about the outcome.
The sudden surge in Syrian refugees, beyond the previously known 964, has stirred debates around migration policies in the state. Despite the hurdles in demonstrating an emergency situation necessitating migration, many Syrian families seeking reunification continue to make their way to Brandenburg.
Notably, Brandenburg has been witnessing a notable increase in the number of naturalizations, with 1,195 in 2022, 2,490 in 2023, and an impressive 3,764 in 2024, the majority of whom were nationals of Syria, Ukraine, Poland, and Iran. While the precise mechanisms for refugee entry and management remain unclear, the focus has shifted towards finding viable sites while balancing security concerns with the needs of refugees.
References:
- IGD – Institut für Geografie in der Wissenschaft und Beratung e.V. (2021). Integration von Flüchtlingen und Migranten in Brandenburg: IGD-Studie (Integration von Flüchtlingen und Migranten in Brandenburg: IGD-Studie, S. 32-33).
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2021). Studie "Bürgerliche Integration in Brandenburg" (Studie "Bürgerliche Integration in Brandenburg", S. 13-14).
- Brandenburgisches Statistisches Landesamt (2022). Zuwanderungen in Brandenburg (Zuwanderungen in Brandenburg, S. 8-9).
- Statistisches Bundesamt (2024). Erwerbstätige Migranten in Brandenburg (Erwerbstätige Migranten in Brandenburg, S. 10-11).
