For my reporting in Berlin, I plan to focus on the question of integration for Afghan refugees in Germany. The public conversation about the migration of certain populations often centers on deportation and political debates, but what happens after arrival is also important. I am hoping to explore this in more detail in Berlin in whatever capacity I can. For the Afghan population that seeks to stay in Germany, integration is often a long, layered process that unfolds in distinct phases. This often means the process is layered and complex, allowing for a wide range of experiences.
Through conversations I’ve already begun, it’s clear that refugees undergo integration as a sequence of steps. First would be learning the language, then the refugees would need to find stable housing, and finally they would need to secure work and start paying taxes. These milestones are oftentimes markers that help demonstrate belonging, but they also come with their unique challenges. Through my reporting I would like to document how individuals move through this process, where they encounter barriers, and what success looks like in their daily lives.
Focusing on integration might also provide space for me to highlight the role discrimination, uncertainty, community, and religion play in this process. Even when Afghans master the language or enter the workforce, they do sometimes face exclusion and discrimination. Yet, many Afghans continue to want to stay in Germany.
By speaking to sources, I would hope to continue to shape the scope of my article. While talking to Wahid, I learned a great deal about the unique integration process Germany has and how this process impacts Afghan refugees in the country. I hope to continue to get in contact with sources that speak to what this process looks like in other countries, and potentially how it varies. Wahid also provided me with the contact information of an Afghan man currently living in Berlin, as well as the stories of others who are currently facing deportation as they try to integrate themselves in Germany. Looking forward, I would hope to get in contact with Afghan students in Germany who face a unique set of circumstances, as well as older Afghans already in the workforce. I also think looking at more recent immigrants as opposed to long-settled Afghans may be interesting when discussing what successful integration is.
By centering my reporting on integration, I would hope to convey both the personal and the political dimensions of Afghan life in Germany. The goal would ultimately be to move beyond abstract discussions of the migration of a specific group and show how Afghans themselves understand and pursue integration.
Other potential reporting topics could include looking at religion and community among the Afghan population by examining how religion shapes the overall process. Mosques and Churches for example often provide resources that the state does not. Religion is also widely regarded as a source of strength for many people throughout the world, and very little reporting has been done on how these refugees interact with religion as they integrate into a new society. This is especially interesting to me given how much more secular Germany has become.
Additionally, more topics that I have been intrigued by that somewhat relate to the topics discussed in this post are the unique experiences Afghan women face during integration as well as what Afghan political activism looks like in the country around issues like immigration.
Questions for the AfD Representative:
- What core values do you believe set the AfD apart from other German parties? Why are these values important?
- How does the AfD define successful integration for refugees?
- How do you see the AfD engaging with younger generations of voters and activists?
