A German town hoped migration could turn its fortunes around. It was no panacea

Reuters ^ | August 31, 20257:59 AM CD | Riham Alkousaa

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Summary

• German town of Altena volunteered to take in 100 more migrants than required
• Officials saw opportunity to reverse years of population and economic decline
• Anti-immigration AfD party gaining support amid frustration over rising costs and infrastructure issues
• Altena's refugee integration efforts recognized, but population continues to decline

ALTENA, Germany, Aug 31 (Reuters) - A decade ago, as Germany was grappling with an influx of more than a million migrants, the small town of Altena saw an opportunity to reverse years of population and economic decline.

The industrial town in Western Germany made national headlines in 2015 when it volunteered to take in 100 more migrants than required, becoming a model of Chancellor Angela Merkel's pledge: "Wir schaffen das" - "We can do this."

But while there have been benefits for both sides, three current and former town officials told Reuters migration wasn't a panacea.

With the help of residents who mobilized to support the newcomers, many found homes and started contributing to the local economy, they told Reuters. But some moved on to bigger cities, which offer more work and education opportunities.

Others struggled to overcome language and cultural barriers, adding to rising welfare costs in a town with an aging population, officials said.

Now some local residents complain that the number of refugees and asylum seekers is getting too high. Recent election results show growing support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, fuelled by frustration over rising living costs, strained public finances and crumbling infrastructure.

"The glass is half full and half empty," said Thomas Liebig, a migration researcher who contributed to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report in 2018 on Altena's efforts to integrate refugees. "Many refugees found jobs, but social cohesion..."

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[Comment Deleted]

[IYAS9YAS]

Wir schaffen das. Si se pueda.

[heartwood]

I planted my land with kudzu for erosion control. It has beautiful flowers, it fixes nitrogen, it is an excellent animal fodder, makes cooling lovely shade. A very worthy plant.

My land...looks different now.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Note the writing....

"...the small town of Altena saw an opportunity...." Towns don't "see." In this case the LEFTY POLITICIANS in the town "saw" incorrectly.

No "oops. we were wrong" will be forthcoming from those politicians, who aren't mentioned.

What is mentiond, "Hardly any German is spoken anymore. It's all foreigners here," Hannelore Wendler said outside a grocery store. "

Welcome to Arab Northwest Germany.