Transformed Landscape: The Impact of Immigration Waves on Modern Germany
In the heart of Berlin, the avenue Sonnenallee has become a symbol of change over the last decade. For some, it represents integration gone awry, fueling the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). However, beyond the controversial perceptions, Sonnenallee is a bustling hub, where Syrian barber Moustafa Mohmmad finds a "kind of Arab street" where he can savour Middle Eastern sweets and food.
The influx of migrants, particularly from Syria, has significantly transformed Germany's demographic landscape. Angela Merkel's fateful decision to keep the Austria border open on September 4th, 2015, eventually led to over one million asylum seekers finding a new home in Germany. Today, the country is home to more than 25 million people with a "migration background," including over a million with Syrian roots.
Integration has been a complex process, with most Syrians finding work in the service, construction, and health sectors in humdrum jobs. Yet, the healthcare sector in Germany relies heavily on foreign workers, with the largest number coming from Syria. Syrian imam Anas Abu Laban notes that the country's 2,500 mosques have become more diverse.
The Kurt Koerber Gymnasium in Hamburg serves an area where 85% of the population are from immigrant backgrounds. Headteacher Christian Lenz has two "international preparation" classes for new arrivals to ensure a smoother transition. Simon Groscurth, headteacher of Berlin's Refik Veseli School, observes that many migrant children have a strong desire to perform well to please their parents.
However, the integration process has not been without its challenges. Around 44 percent of migrants receive social benefits, a key vector fuelling resentment among the local population. Tempers can flare in the crowded space of the Tempelhof airport due to language barriers. Much of the load falls on local councils that are already stretched, with some complaining about the pressure on public services.
The current government under Friedrich Merz aims to limit irregular migration, enforce stricter border controls, and regularly deport illegal migrants, especially to countries like Afghanistan and Syria. Family reunification for those with subsidiary protection has been suspended, and plans include ending fast-track naturalization and introducing deportations for dual nationals who repeatedly commit crimes.
The integration journey is not just about numbers and policies. It's about the stories of individuals like Syrian restaurateur Malakeh Jazmati, who came to Berlin in 2015 and opened the Malakeh restaurant, ticking most integration boxes. Syrian belly dancer The Darvish, who came in the 2015 wave, identifies as non-binary and wants to connect "Arab and queer culture." Syrian student Hala, 16, who arrived with no German, now speaks German with her cousins and has started to forget Arabic a little.
The future of integration in Germany remains uncertain. As the country navigates its way through the complexities of diversity, the hope is that the spirit of "wir schaffen das" (We can do this), famously declared by Angela Merkel in 2015, continues to guide the nation forward.
