Turkish asylum record broken: Immigration and citizenship affairs in turmoil in Germany

Following these developments, the government coalition partner, the Liberals (FDP), opposed the previously agreed-upon 'law introducing fast-track and dual citizenship.'

Fears began to grow that granting fast-track citizenship to new arrivals would cause the AfD to surge even further, leading the government to send the bill back to the Interior Committee. Meanwhile, in one region alone, the proportion of Turks among migrants seeking asylum has exceeded 70 percent.

According to a report by Ali Gülen from Sözcü, following the migration crisis, public support for granting dual citizenship to those entering the country illegally within three, or at most five, years has dropped to 30 percent.

Consequently, the 'New and Fast Citizenship Law' (Schnelle Einbürgerung), which would have paved the way for unlimited dual citizenship for Turks already living in the country and fast-track citizenship for new arrivals, did not pass in parliament.

"ILLEGAL ENTRIES ARE BEING ENCOURAGED"

During heated debates in the German parliament on Thursday and Friday, the Christian Democratic parties argued that they would not allow the SPD and the Greens to gain new voters through this citizenship law, claiming that the law represents a form of 'citizenship devaluation' and demanding that the focus instead be placed on the integration of those who arrive.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party also argued that with this law, no one would feel the need to integrate anymore, and further contended that illegal entries into the country were being encouraged.

The bill was sent back to the Interior Committee. It is currently unknown when the bill will return to parliament.

TURKS ARE ASYLUM CHAMPIONS

Turks have risen to the top among those arriving illegally in Germany this year. Thousands of illegal migrants have arrived in the Rems-Murr district near the Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt region in Germany. It was announced that 70 percent of these illegal migrants are Turkish citizens and that most of them come from the Eastern and Southeastern regions. While the asylum acceptance rate for Turkish citizens is around 14 percent, the fact that Turkish citizens account for 75 percent of asylum applications has surprised officials.

WHY ARE TURKS COMING?

It is stated that the majority of those arriving are doing so with the aim of finding work, receiving vocational or other training, escaping financial hardship, and working in a more peaceful country.

News Source: 12punto