Austria Freezes Asylum Cases For Syrians Amid Policy Shift
Austria has stopped accepting asylum applications from Syrian nationals after the recent takeover by Islamic militants in Syria. The move comes after Turkey-supported rebels captured Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia. Interim Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced the suspension as part of a broader review of Austria’s immigration policies.
The move is already too little and too late; however, this may signal larger changes that could take Europe off its current collision course with extinction.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has been instructed to reevaluate all previously granted asylum cases for Syrians and develop a plan for deportations. While the specifics of this initiative are not yet finalized, the government’s intent is clear: to tighten controls on migration.
The freeze also affects family reunification programs, which have allowed refugees to bring their relatives to Austria. As of now, over 12,800 asylum-related applications are on hold, with more than 1,100 tied to reunification requests.
Nehammer’s People’s Party has embraced stricter immigration measures, driven in part by the populist Freedom Party’s rise in the recent elections. Despite winning the most votes, the Freedom Party has been excluded from coalition talks, raising questions about President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision to favor the People’s Party.
Austria played a significant role in accepting Syrian refugees during the migrant crisis of 2015 and 2016. However, with 4.3 million Syrians now residing across Europe, including many in Austria, the government is revisiting its commitments as the situation in Syria changes.
This shift in policy underscores a broader trend in Europe toward limiting new refugee arrivals while managing the existing population. Austrian leaders are navigating these challenges in response to domestic and regional concerns.
