Austria’s Controversial Deportation Plans Spark Fear Among Syrian Refugees
Austria has announced plans to revoke the refugee status of approximately 2,900 Syrian nationals, driven by escalating anti-migrant sentiment and specific incidents of violence. This move has disrupted the lives of many, causing significant fear and uncertainty in the refugee community. Family reunifications have been halted, affecting individuals like Khaled Alnomman and Ahmed Elgrk, who express deep concern for their futures. The government is offering financial incentives for voluntary returns to Syria, leading some refugees to contemplate leaving Austria.
In Oberösterreich, Syrian refugee Khaled Alnomman has meticulously integrated into Austrian society over the past decade, mastering the language, securing employment, and applying for citizenship. His four children, raised in Austria, identify strongly with the country. However, their lives were disrupted when Austrian authorities notified them of plans to revoke their refugee status after celebrating a recent political victory against Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Alnomman expressed deep anguish upon receiving the news, describing it as a “knife stab to the heart.” The rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Austria, intensified by a recent violent incident involving a Syrian national, has further complicated the situation. Alnomman lamented that due to the actions of one individual, the entire Syrian community is suffering.
Austria, hosting nearly 100,000 Syrian refugees, has moved to halt family reunifications and revoke the refugee status of around 2,900 individuals post-Assad’s ousting. The Interior Ministry announced plans for an “orderly repatriation and deportation program to Syria,” acknowledging legal challenges to this initiative. Additionally, the conservative government aims to conduct random checks on the homes of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers as part of its crackdown on immigration.
The decisions to revoke refugee status have left the Syrian community in disarray, with many fearing for their future. Alnomman highlighted the sleepless nights faced by his fellow refugees; “We can’t sleep at night. All Syrians are afraid now.” The uncertainty has also affected those trying to reunite their families, such as Ahmed Elgrk, who lost hope of bringing his wife and children to Austria after receiving notification related to his status.
Faced with the prospect of deportation, many Syrians are contemplating voluntary return, with the government offering financial incentives for those willing to go back to their home country. So far, about 100 individuals have accepted these offers, prompted by deteriorating conditions and reinstated uncertainties surrounding their residency.
Austria’s recent moves to revoke refugee statuses for Syrian nationals has sparked significant fear among the community. The decision, influenced by rising anti-immigrant sentiment and specific violent incidents, has halted family reunifications and paved the way for potential deportations. Individuals like Khaled Alnomman and Ahmed Elgrk exemplify the emotional toll this situation has on Syrian families while revealing the broader implications of strict immigration policies. The responses from the Syrian community indicate a state of distress and uncertainty regarding their futures in Austria, compounded by governmental pressures to curtail migration.
Original Source: www.france24.com
