Syrians in Turkey fear deportation

After the Turkish authorities sent text messages to thousands of Syrian refugees, Wednesday, to cancel temporary protection card (Kimlik), fears of deportation to Syrian territory have increased.

The kimlik is granted by the Turkish Directorate General of Immigration Management for Syrian refugees and entitles them to move freely within Turkish territory and receive all Turkish government services.

The General Directorate of Migration in the capital, Ankara, informed thousands of Syrians residing in Turkey and who hold the Kimlik that their restrictions have been completely stopped and that their temporary protection has been canceled.

The Turks are divided between supporters of the presence of the Syrians in Turkey and opponents who see them as a burden on the country’s crumbling economy.

During the past 48 hours, more than ten thousand Syrians residing in different Turkish states received the email, according to the sources. 

Last month more than 100 Syrians were deported to areas north of Aleppo. According to international reports, Turkey houses about four million Syrians who fled war and deteriorating conditions in their homeland.