Naturalization and Syrian refugee integration in Türkiye: A criticial case study on recent Turkish citizenship practices

This thesis addresses the question of extraordinary citizenship and naturalization practices and their relationship with integration and social cohesion in the case of Syrian refugees in Türkiye. The Syrians have since 2016 been granted the opportunity to become citizens through an amendment of the citizenship law. Yet, the naturalization option is still only available to a minority of Syrians who usually have a strong human capital in which they can enforce to combat discrimination and stereotyping in society. For the remaining majority, who find themselves in highly precarious life situations, they need to facilitate their immediate and critical needs and rights, and follow an integration path. Drawing on citizenship and migration literature, this thesis will explore the actual integration experiences amongst Syrians who obtained citizenship based on 16 interviews with naturalized Syrians in Türkiye. This thesis also aims to include the Syrians themselves in the discussion, as the voices of Syrians are nearly absent in public and academic discussion concerning themselves. The contribution of this thesis is to critically analyse the new citizenship practices which include an exclusive and unfair distribution of rights based on arbitrary qualifications. The thesis also draws necessary parallels to rising nationalism in Turkish society which, through anti-immigration rhetoric, has been reinforced in the public discourse. It also addresses the lack of credibility of top-down distribution of citizenship as an integration strategy to ensure socioeconomic and political integration of the Syrian populations in Türkiye. The findings suggest that naturalization only offers a limited integration to the small minority who are given the Turkish citizenship. Finally, the thesis suggests further action to proactively counteract and prevent the formation of a migrant underclass, which might have serious consequences in terms of social cohesion. A more inclusive integration plan is necessary for Syrians' access to equal opportunities and instrumental means to create dignified lives for themselves. Since Türkiye is located in a strategic but volatile region, this is needed for future refugees that are yet to come. Key Words: Refugees, Integration, Syrian Refugees, Critical Theory, Citizenship, Türkiye