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Syrian Refugees in Germany Are Glad They Can Visit Home. But Just Visit. | The more than one million Syrians who fled to Germany have celebrated the end of war in their homeland, but some fear it could mean losing their refugee status.
The New York Times ^ | Dec. 31, 2024, 12:01 a.m. ET | Melissa Eddy

Posted on 01/01/2025 4:26:52 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

Upon learning that Syria’s dynastic dictatorship had fallen, Iman Mohammed, a Syrian refugee living in Germany, felt a surge of elation at the idea that she could return to her homeland.

But that joy quickly faltered as another thought occurred to her: Going back to Syria could mean giving up everything that she and her family had built in Germany since making the dangerous trek to arrive there nearly a decade ago.

“In the cold light of day, when we really looked at everything that had happened, we realized, not just yet,” Ms. Mohammed, 41, said of the idea that her family might permanently return to Syria.

The decision may not be hers.

After rebel groups toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s government on Dec. 8, the prospect of returning home opened for the first time in more than a decade for the many Syrians who fled during the civil war that ravaged the country, including 1.3 million in Germany.

Many of them worked hard and overcame immense challenges to improve their circumstances. Some, like Ms. Mohammed, are not keen to give up their new lives.

It is European governments that will have the final word on whether the refugees are allowed to stay.

Within a day of the rebel victory, far-right and even some mainstream politicians in Germany began floating chartering planes to Syria and giving 1,000 euros, just more than $1,000, to any Syrian refugee willing to return permanently.

Other European countries with Syrian populations have made similar suggestions. Denmark is already offering a repatriation package of roughly €20,000 to any Syrian refugee willing to go back home and has suggested that it could double that amount to attract more interest. Austria has already sent letters to Syrians who have been in the country for less...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: europeanunion; germany; melissaeddy; syria; turkey

1 posted on 01/01/2025 4:26:52 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Of relevance...


2 posted on 01/01/2025 5:38:11 PM PST by Charles Martel (Progressives are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If it’s safe enough to visit, then you can just stay there.


3 posted on 01/01/2025 5:59:15 PM PST by Mr. Blond
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Move back and lose their massive welfare payments? Something like 90% of ALL “rapefugees” are on welfare and don’t work. Just look at the great enrichment they brought to Berlin for New Years.


4 posted on 01/01/2025 6:01:53 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Organic Panic

Home they go to fix their country.


5 posted on 01/01/2025 6:08:23 PM PST by Chickensoup
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The narratives hinting that “rebels” are any more popular than Assad was are just ridiculous.
The first thing “progressive jihadis” did was suspeding female judges, and starting to force the rest of women into veils. Not to count the war of Christian trees and hunt for Santas. Now it is a wholesale slaughter of everyone who is not Sunni.
Kind of gives a perspective on whom Assad held in his “torture prisons.”


6 posted on 01/01/2025 8:59:20 PM PST by NorseViking
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GTFO


7 posted on 01/01/2025 9:03:43 PM PST by Gene Eric
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To: Chickensoup

The Syrian factions are locked in a bloody struggle, fighting each other.

Time for the “refugees” to go home and get in on the action


8 posted on 01/02/2025 4:21:34 AM PST by Steven Tyler
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Gee, this is my shocked face.


9 posted on 01/02/2025 4:28:13 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Gene Eric

Ausländer Raus!


10 posted on 01/02/2025 4:28:53 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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