Rhineland-Palatinate: Syrians in danger – return or deportation?

Rhineland-Palatinate: Syrians in danger – return or deportation?

The debate about the return of Syrian refugees to Germany has gained momentum in the last few days. There is a worrying trend towards deportations, especially in Rhineland-Palatinate. There are currently around 28,000 Syrian citizens registered in the state, with 580 of them considered obliged to leave the country, often due to health problems or a lack of papers. This is reported by SWR, which also points out that the number of asylum applications in Rhineland-Palatinate fell sharply in 2023.

In 2023, only 4,270 refugees applied for asylum by the end of October, while in 2022 there were over twice as many. This decrease can also be observed among newly arrived Ukrainians. More than 11,000 were registered in 2024; this year there are only around 7,700 so far.

Syrian doctors and nurses in focus

Janosch Littig (Greens), State Secretary in the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Integration, particularly emphasizes the importance of Syrian doctors and nursing staff for the health system. At the end of 2024, there were around 470 Syrian doctors active in Rhineland-Palatinate, and there are around 7,000 nationwide. These professionals are urgently needed to ensure medical care.

Littig demands that the federal government should create opportunities so that Syrians can undertake exploratory trips without endangering their protected status in Germany. He noted that some regions in Syria are heavily devastated, while others are less affected by the conflict. The return should therefore be carefully considered.

Political reactions and concerns

The political landscape is divided. Chancellor Merz expresses the opinion that many Syrians would like to return to their homeland voluntarily, but criminals should be deported. This approach creates a heated discussion. Foreign Minister Wadephul appeals to all those involved to bring about a de-escalation in the debate and to take a differentiated view of the situation of the returnees.

It remains to be seen how the rights and well-being of Syrian refugees will develop in the current political climate. A bold approach could lead to important skilled workers leaving Germany, which could have a noticeable impact, especially in the healthcare sector.

At a time when many sectors are struggling for workers, it is even more important to work on solutions that meet the needs of both states and refugees. This is not just an economic issue, but also affects the well-being of many people who were looking for protection and a new home in Germany.