“Demographic time bomb” – migration researcher criticizes fast naturalization of refugees | EUROtoday

The Dutch social scientist and migration researcher Ruud Koopmans criticizes the fast naturalization of migrants and factors out long-term demographic penalties. “You have to think about whether you should offer refugees access to German citizenship so quickly. If they are German citizens, there is no limit to family migration. Then any possibility of controlling these migration flows will be lost,” he mentioned in an interview with “Cicero”. “This rapid naturalization can be seen as a demographic time bomb in the long term.”

The so-called “turbo naturalization” was overturned after three years by a reform by the black-red coalition. However, common naturalization continues to be attainable after 5 years. Requirements embody, amongst different issues, a authorized residence in Germany, the power to independently safe one’s livelihood, ample data of German and a dedication to the free-democratic primary order. Applicants should additionally not have been convicted of a felony offense.

“We have almost a million Syrian refugees in Germany. It is necessary to think about what consequences this will have for the future,” mentioned Koopmans. Among these arriving there may be an over-representation of males who would largely search for their marriage companions of their nation of origin: “In these societies, marriage is also an economic transaction between families, and the ticket to Europe is an important medium of exchange.”

Koopmans referred to knowledge on the demographic improvement amongst visitor employees from Turkey or Morocco. “From 1973, the year of the recruitment stop, to today, this group has increased six to sevenfold in number. If we assume the same for the Syrians – and there is no reason not to assume that – then in 50 years we will have seven million Syrians or citizens of Syrian origin in Germany,” mentioned Koopmans on “Cicero”. This doesn’t embody folks from nations of origin comparable to Afghanistan or Iraq.

The thought of ​​refugee safety is that persons are provided safety so long as the explanations for cover exist. The migration researcher advocated that naturalization ought to solely be made attainable at a later date. “If that is still the case after ten years, at some point you have to say: OK, people have been here for so long that we have to offer them permanent prospects,” says Koopmans. “But I think it’s wrong to do this after just five years.”