As the Migration and Diaspora Foundation, we presented our study titled "Türkiye Migration Mobility Report (2016-2023)" to the public at a press conference held in Istanbul. This comprehensive report, which analyzes the current state of Türkiye's migration management, emphasizes the importance of strategic steps for our country's migration governance and demonstrates the need to produce lasting solutions.

Türkiye's Refugee Profile and the State of the New Migrant Influx

Our report finds that Türkiye ranks second in the world in terms of the number of refugees, but that no new refugee influx has occurred as of 2021. For the past three years there has been no new flow of Syrian refugees into Türkiye, a situation also supported by the suspension of the issuance of temporary protection identities to Syrians. As of 2023, Türkiye faced "negative" net migration data for the first time in its history; this decline in the number of migrants indicates that migrants tend to leave the country.

Proposal to Broaden the Definition of "Belonging to Turkish Culture"

As the Migration and Diaspora Foundation, we propose that amendments be made to the Settlement Law in order to integrate migrants into society. In this framework, we consider it necessary that the definition of "being of Turkish descent and belonging to Turkish culture" under Article 7 of Settlement Law No. 5543 be interpreted more effectively in practice. In line with the amendment we propose, young people who begin their education in Türkiye at the age of 6, receive twelve years of uninterrupted education here, and pass a Turkish language exam would be considered "of Turkish descent and belonging to Turkish culture". This step would enable these young people to have a permanent status in our country and pave the way for them to contribute more effectively to society.

Protecting Türkiye's Resources Against the Loss of Qualified Migrants

Our report demonstrates that our country suffers a significant loss because refugee youth integrated into Türkiye's education system migrate to Western countries after completing their education. The transfer of these young people—whom Türkiye has raised by spending labor and resources—to other countries as "qualified migrants" just as they reach full productive age is regarded as a loss for Türkiye and a gain for Western countries.

As the Migration and Diaspora Foundation, we believe that our country should not reduce its migrant and refugee policy merely to border security and combating irregular migration; in addition, it should develop comprehensive integration policies that will enable migrants to be brought into society and to contribute to our country. We believe that these proposals will provide a sustainable solution for our country's migration management and strengthen Türkiye's position as a regional power.

For the full report, click here