Syrian Immigrant Interview

Okay, I understand that the United States can't just let anyone across it's borders because there wouldn't be enough jobs to support the sudden influx of immigrants, possibility of terrorism and whatnot else. But the Syrian refugees that I got the privilege to talk to today were probably some of the nicest and hardest-working people that I have met so far in Germany. They were the kind of people that I would want in my country.

Take for example Ahmar and Asaad. They have both been in Germany for 16 months and speak nearly perfect German. They are currently both taking classes in Horb to further their education. A question that I asked was, Warum haben Sie Syrien verlassen? or Why did you leave Syria? Since we were speaking in only German, I could only understand the gist of what was being said, but luckily I had Ms. Hejl to clarify the details. The answer to the question "Why leave?" was very clear; however, to not get killed and to not have to kill others. Ahmar had said that the war is not as simple as one side fighting another, but rather hundreds of sides all fighting each other for different reasons. Because of this, Asaad said that, as a Syrian, there isn't really a country "identity" per say due to the corrupt government and various groups with all of their different agendas. So if he were to have gotten "drafted" he wouldn't really have been fighting for his country, but rather for a cause that he may not even believe in or agree with. Asaad also said that he left because he wanted to start a family and be able to further his education. I found it particularly interesting that Asaad and Ahmar both had relatives that were forced to fight in the war because they were not accepted as a refugee into any country. As a result, they were killed. They died, and I'm sure many more have died, fighting for a cause that they didn't even believe in, because someone in the first world said that they didn't want to give someone else the opportunity that they were born into. 

The story of Abdul also struck me as pretty cool. Abdul had helped the revolution against the corrupt Syrian government originally by providing medical help. He fled and came to Germany when the rebels started dividing amongst themselves and things were starting to get hairy. Abdul has been in Germany for 16 months as well and is hoping to be able to study to be a doctor, not for his own benefit, as yes, he could make a lot of money being a doctor here in Germany, but rather to go back to Syria regardless if the war is over or not and help people. He wants to do this because one, it is not easy to currently receive an education in a crumbling country and two, to go and help replace the many doctors that are leaving due to the war and instability. Sure, he's using tax dollars to receive his education, but his selfless attitude and the help that he's going to give to people is something that no government could ever hope to pay for. 

I also found what they thought of the United States very interesting. They said that before the immigration ban, refugees that got accepted into America were very lucky as it is the most favored country by refugees because of its many opportunities and freedoms. The immigration ban has created many obstacles even for current refugees living in America already. For example, Ahmar has a cousin who is currently living in Madison, WI and his cousin cannot visit Germany because he would not be allowed back into the States. Another thought that they had about the United States, rather, all of the other countries getting involved in the war, is that they are the ones sending in the tanks and soldiers into the country. Sure, they may be helping a little, but their opinion was that they are only making the war more deadly. 

Before this interview I had no opinion on immigration, but now I definitely can say that I know what both sides are thinking. 

16.3.2017

Nat