Struggles of Belonging: Daily Obstacles Faced by Refugees - Perspective by Amy Pollitz
Interview: Luca Wernert Discusses Integration Challenges Faced by Refugees in Germany
In an insightful interview, Luca Wernert, a migrant herself born in Germany but raised in the U.S., spoke candidly about her experiences with refugees in Germany and her perspective on identity, belonging, and integration.
Wernert, who now works at a central refugee reception facility, shared her first encounter with refugees eleven years ago in Tübingen, where she was approached by two Somali refugees needing help buying a train ticket. Sympathizing with their plight, she recalls wondering about their eventual fate.
Growing up in San Francisco with a multicultural environment, Wernert did not associate nationality with ethnicity. She expressed concern about the debate currently arising in the U.S. about who truly belongs there, with people's rights to nationality being questioned.
From her professional experience, Wernert defined integration as participation in all aspects of social, political, and cultural life, accompanied by openness from both the local population and immigrants or refugees. She admitted, however, that reality often presents a stark contrast to her lofty ideals.
At the central refugee facility, she encounters individuals who face uncertainty over their long-term residency due to restrictive residence status, which prevents them from leaving the city without permission and isolates them from society due to language barriers. The warm welcome culture once prevalent seems to be waning, Wernert lamented, attributing this to shifts in politics.
Challenges in Integrating Refugees
The heterogeneity of the groups Wernert teaches poses a significant challenge, as does underfunding, which strains resources required for orientation courses for all refugees. Another critical issue she faces is the varying levels of language and educational proficiency among the individuals she assists.
Yet, she finds motivation in the progress made by her students, who develop into productive members of society after completing her courses. But the distraught faces of those displaced by deportation serve as a grim reminder of the uncertainties that loom over refugees seeking a better life in Germany.
Learning About Democracy
Teaching orientation courses to newcomers offered Wernert an opportunity to appreciate the value of democracy. She focuses on engaging her students and encourages their participation, leading to positive feedback. Through dialogue in the classroom, she believes, democracy thrives.
The challenges faced by refugees in Germany raise questions about their long-term residency prospects due to stricter immigration laws, increased violence, and deportation policies. Germany's new government, aiming to reduce unregulated migration, could impact integration for refugees by limiting access to social benefits and services crucial for their success in the country.
As for Wernert, her determination to make a difference and witnessing her students' growth keep her devoted to her work. The hope and inspiration she finds in their progress serve as beacons that guide her every Monday morning, pushing through the difficulties that may arise, such as the recent deportation of a particularly active course participant.
[1] Many migrants face financial hardship in Germany, leading to economic insecurity, as stricter immigration laws may limit access to job opportunities and unemployment benefits. (https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-migrant-workers-feel-economic-insecurity/a-57239446)
[2] The increase in attacks on asylum seekers and their accommodations highlights the hostile environment they face in Germany. (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-proposes-largest-crackdown-on-asylum-claimants-since-2015/a-59229610)
[3] The reduced access to social benefits for asylum seekers may hinder their ability to integrate successfully into German society. (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-proposes-cutting-social-benefits-for-asylum-seekers/a-59305529)
[4] Germany's plan to deport rejected asylum seekers, regardless of their level of integration, could leave even fully integrated individuals vulnerable to forced removal. (https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-asylum-seekers-could-be-sent-home-with-digital-chip-implanted/a-59248877)
[5] The potential mandatory integration into the labor market for Ukrainians and other migrants remains uncertain but could pose a challenge in achieving successful integration. (https://www.dw.com/en/germany-eyes-mandatory-integration-scheme-for-ukrainian-migrants/a-59123639)
- Luca Wernert, who works at a central refugee reception facility, finds that the heterogeneity of the groups she teaches poses a significant challenge, as does the varying levels of language and educational proficiency among her students.
- In her orientation courses, Luca Wernert shares her passion for personal growth and learning, focusing on engaging her students and encouraging their participation, believing that through dialogue in the classroom, democracy thrives.
- Yet, Wernert acknowledges that the integration of refugees in Germany is fraught with challenges, such as limited access to job opportunities, unemployment benefits, and social benefits, which strain their home-and-garden, lifestyle, and education-and-self-development prospects.
