Does Migration Only Affect Those Who Migrate?

Who would want to leave his/her country to go to another country where the language and culture differ? Some want to leave to get a better education, some want to leave to ‘survive.’ It is humiliating to discuss forced displacement in the 21st century. Over 110 million displaced people worldwide in 2024, due to conflicts (for example, Ukraine, Syria) and climate related events (for instance, droughts in Africa, rising sea levels).

Syrians have been migrating since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 between the Assad regime and opposition groups. The conflict has caused the destruction of households, schools, and hospitals. Considering widespread human right abuses, torture, and the use of chemical weapons against civilians and the collapse of the economy, immigration was essential for one to survive. However, moving to another country generates new social consequences such as cultural clash, segregation, discrimination, and human trafficking. Therefore, immigration is a global issue that affects multiple societies who are immigrating and are hosting the immigrants. 

With Turkey being the primary destination as a neighbouring country, as of 2024, Turkey hosts approximately 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the largest number of refugees in any single country. Syrians in Turkey are granted Temporary Protection Status, which provides them with protection and some rights but not full refugee status under international law. Some refugees have been granted work permits, though this process is restricted to certain sectors. But, it is significant to note that there are lots of refugees that illegally work in Turkey with low wages. This is a clash for the economy as the government is not able to make taxation due to illegal jobs and unemployment rates rising within Turkish people due to Syrians doing the jobs with low wages. 

Over 600,000 Syrian children are enrolled in Turkish schools; special language programs have been implemented to address the linguistic and cultural barriers faced by Syrian children. However, naturally there are challenges in ensuring high-quality education for all refugee children. It is also important to note that some of them are dropping out of school to work. 

Anti-refugee sentiment has grown in some parts of Turkey, especially during the highly rising inflation rates in Turkey. Public opinion on Syrian refugees is divided: some Turkish citizens show support, while others are frustrated by the economic downfall of hosting millions of refugees. Naturally, it is hard for a country to take the risk of hosting millions of refugees who need healthcare, education, and economic help plus having a national economic crisis. Therefore, the opposing citizens do not support millions of Syrians not just because they are against human rights, but because believing that the government cannot look after their own citizens before Syrians. The Turkish government has launched initiatives aimed at facilitating the voluntary return of refugees to safe zones in Syria, such as parts of northern Syria. Overall, the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey is complex, with significant challenges in areas like integration, economy, and public opinion.