Austria has announced plans to deport Syrian nationals back to their homeland, marking a decisive step toward addressing immigration challenges.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner unveiled an “orderly return and deportation program to Syria,” following a government reassessment of conditions in the country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The move aligns with Austria’s commitment to prioritizing public safety and reducing the burden on its resources.
Statistics reveal that since 2012, Syrian nationals have accounted for 53% of Austria’s approved asylum cases, with around 95,000 Syrians now residing in the country. Many arrived during the 2015 refugee crisis, seeking refuge from the Syrian civil war.
Karner has long supported the idea of deporting Syrians to safer regions. Back in 2023, he proposed returning asylum seekers with denied claims to areas deemed stable, relying on an EU Asylum Agency report describing Damascus as largely secure for civilians. At a June meeting of EU interior ministers, Karner reiterated his stance, urging Europe-wide measures to deport Syrian and Afghan offenders.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ) welcomed the announcement. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl called for a more aggressive approach, stating, “Tens of thousands of Syrians who celebrated Assad’s downfall in Vienna can now return home. The reasons for seeking asylum no longer exist.” He added that such measures would ease the strain on Austria’s social system while offering Syrians opportunities to rebuild their homeland.
The government views this decision as a pragmatic step to address the growing pressure on Austria’s resources and to ensure a fair immigration system. Minister Karner emphasized that Austria remains committed to protecting those truly in need but must balance compassion with responsibility.
